GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Mercer's Robert Broom and Samford's Wyatt Burns were among the 40 relief pitchers nationally to be named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award midseason watch list Wednesday, the organization announced Wednesday.

Both are among the 16 players on the midseason list who were previously included on the preseason watch list released in February.

Broom's recognition comes in the same week he was named Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week (April 17-23).

A native of Rising Fawn, Georgia, Broom owns a 7-1 record and 2.49 ERA this season in 47 innings of work. He is limiting opposing batters to a .181 average and has struck out 68, tied for the team lead. His numbers improve when specifically considering conference play: 1.62 ERA, 4-0 record and 26 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings.

Broom is the SoCon's active career leader in ERA (3.11) and strikeouts per nine innings pitched (11.70). The sophomore ranks among the nation's leaders in strikeouts per nine innings (sixth), victories (ninth), appearances (13th), hits allowed per nine innings (23rd) and strikeouts (59th). He was a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America selection last year.

Burns, who earned Preseason All-Southern Conference honors prior to the 2017 campaign, is currently ranked fifth in the nation with 12 saves. He also boasts a perfect 3-0 record this season, as well as a 3.19 ERA in a team-high 20 appearances.

Burns has already tallied 27 strikeouts this season while only allowing a total of 11 earned runs.

Last year, the Bulldogs' right-handed sidewinder finished the campaign with eight saves and 40 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings pitched. Burns closed out his sophomore year with a team-high 37 appearances.