Jan. 31, 2012

NCBWA releases Stopper of the Year Watch List

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) released the initial Watch List for the eighth annual Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I.

Corey Knebel of Texas was the 2011 winner and returns on the Watch List. During his freshman campaign, Knebel registered 19 saves while going 3-2 with a 1.13 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 55.2 innings.

This initial list will be updated with a mid-season release in mid-April. At the end of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader plus four other relievers will be selected as finalists and released on June 6, prior to the start of Super Regionals. The winner will be announced during the 2012 College World Series.

2012 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List

Pitcher, School, Year

Hugh Adams, Florida Atlantic, Sr.

Chris Anderson, Jacksonville, So.

Luke Bard, Georgia Tech, Jr.

Jake Boyd, Stetson, Sr.

Tony Bryant, Oregon State, Jr.

Matt Carasiti, St. John’s, Jr.

Pat Christensen, La Salle, Jr.

Alex Cillo, Bucknell, Sr.

Scott Coffman, New Mexico State, Sr.

Caleb Dudley, Louisiana Tech, Jr.

Matt Duncan, Morehead State, Jr.

Jake Dyer, Georgia State, Sr.

Cale Elam, Wichita State, So.

Matt Gardner, Nevada, Sr.

Kyle Glancy, Northern Illinois, Sr.

Ryan Harvey, Seton Hall, So.

Ryan Hawthorne, Loyola Marymount, Sr.

Todd Hornsby, Jacksonville State, Sr.

Zack Jones, San Jose State, Jr.

Corey Knebel, Texas, So.

Forrest Koumas, South Carolina, So.

Kenny Long, Illinois State, Sr.

Stefan Lopez, Southeastern Louisiana, Jr.

Austin Maddox, Florida, Jr.

Eddie Magallon, Long Beach State, Jr.

Tyler Maloof, Georgia, Jr.

Kevin McKague, Army, Sr.

Jeff McVaney, Texas State, Sr.

Michael Morin, North Carolina, Jr.

John Neely, Texas Tech, Sr.

Chris Overman, NC State, Jr.

Robbie Powell, Stetson, Sr.

Caleb Reed, Mississippi State, Sr.

Joel Rinehart, Navy, Jr.

Steven Rodriguez, Florida, Jr.

Joe Rogers, UCF, Jr.

Nolan Sanburn, Arkansas, So.

Michael Schum, Wright State, Sr.

Tyler Smith, Rider, Jr.

Kurt Spomer, Creighton, Sr.

Tyler Wagner, Utah, Jr.

Tony Wieber, Michigan State, Jr.

Abram Williams, Radford, Sr.

Nick Wittgren, Purdue, Jr.

Evan Zerff, LIU-Brooklyn, Jr.