TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Three Southern Conference pitchers were among the 50 named to the midseason watch list for the 10th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. Elon’s Ryan Pennell, Georgia Southern’s Jason Richman and Samford’s Andres Gracia are all on the list.
Pennell, a senior left-hander, currently leads Elon and is tied for the SoCon lead with 11 saves this season. That number ranks in a tie for second on Elon's single-season saves list and places Pennell sixth on the program's career saves chart. Entering the week, his 11 saves ranked fifth nationally. The native of Mamaroneck, N.Y., has made 17 appearances, going 1-2 with a 2.49 ERA. In 21 2/3 innings, he has held opponents to a .221 batting average.
Richman is 5-0 with a 1.30 ERA this season and has tallied a pair of saves out of the bullpen for GSU. The sophomore left-hander leads the country in appearances (31) and leads the SoCon in ERA. Richman is third on the team in innings pitched and has allowed just eight earned runs and 11 walks all season.
In 24 2/3 innings of work so far this season, Samford’s Gracia has yet to give up an earned run. He leads the Southern Conference and is tied for fifth in the nation with 11 saves. Gracia has a record of 2-0 and has recorded 25 strikeouts while allowing just six walks. Opposing batters are hitting just .193 against the junior right-hander.
Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information/media relations contacts. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, June 4, prior to the start of NCAA Super Regional tournament competition.
The NCBWA's All-America Committee will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced during the 2014 College World Series.
The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Dick Howser Trophy to the nation's top player. It also selects All-America Teams for all Divisions, a Division I Freshman All-American team, Division I and III Players of the Week, Division I District Players of the Year and Division III Players of the Year.