Patterson a National Pitcher of the Year Quarterfinalist

LUBBOCK, Texas — Appalachian State University baseball closer Chris Patterson (Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland County) is one of 25 quarterfinalists for the College Baseball Foundation's 2010 Pitcher of the Year Award, the CBF announced on Saturday.

A right-handed senior, Patterson leads the nation with 13 saves and his 1.09 ERA is third-lowest among the award's 25 quarterfinalists.

Patterson, LSU's Matty Ott (2-2, 4.58 ERA, 11 saves), Texas' Chance Ruffin (5-1, 0.96 ERA, 10 saves) and Texas A&M's John Stilson (6-1, 0.98 ERA, eight saves) are the only relief pitchers to be named quarterfinalists for the award and Patterson and The Citadel starter Asher Wojciechowski (8-2, 3.28 ERA) are the only Southern Conference representatives on the list of 25.

Patterson already holds Appalachian's single-season record with his 13 saves and is within striking distance of the SoCon record of 17, set by Georgia Southern's Paul Thornton in 1993. In addition to the 13 saves, Patterson sports two wins, 46 strikeouts and just seven walks in 33 innings of work.

The CBF Pitcher of the Year will be announced as part of the College Baseball Awards show on July 2 in Lubbock, Texas.