DALLAS – Two Southern Conference pitchers were among the 56 players named to the midseason watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award,
the NCBWA announced Wednesday.
Mercer’s Wesley Franklin and Samford’s Ben Petschke, both right-handed juniors, earned spots on the list.
Franklin has posted a SoCon-best eight saves on the season, putting together an 0-1 record and a 4.74 ERA in 24 2/3 innings over 13 appearances. He has struck out 29 and walked just seven.
Petschke is right behind Franklin in saves with seven on the season. He is 3-2 with a 5.34 ERA in 32 innings over 19 appearances. He has struck out 34.
Relievers who are not on the midseason list still have an opportunity to be named a finalist for the award.
The NCBWA will announce the finalists on Wednesday, June 7, with the winner being named on Friday, June 16, at the 2023 College World Series.
2023 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List
Kyle Amendt, Dallas Baptist, R-Jr.
Micah Ashman, Utah, So.
Hudson Barrett, UC Santa Barbara, Fr.
Ethan Bates, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
Ryan Brown, Oregon State, R-So.
Terry Busse, Georgia Tech, So.
Will Canon, Auburn, So.
Garrett Clarke, Southern California, R-Sr.
Jackson Cleveland, Lamar, So.
Jack Collins, Binghamton, Sr.
Alton Davis II, Alabama, Fr.
Cade Denton, Oral Roberts, Jr.
Nate DeYoung, Milwaukee, Sr.
Jacob Dobmeier, Portland, R-So.
Triston Dixon, Texas State, Sr.
Kevin Eaise, North Carolina, Gr.
Garrett Edwards, LSU, Jr.
Wesley Franklin, Mercer, Jr.
Chase Grillo, Washington State, R-Jr.
Ryan Hagenow, Kentucky, Jr.
Stephen Halstead, North Florida, Sr.
Tommy Hopfe, Fresno State, Jr.
Will Johnston, Texas A&M, Jr.
Dalton Kendrick, Memphis, Jr.
Jacob King, UC Irvine, R-Jr.
Danny Kirwin, Rider, Gr.
Kyle Kramer, UCF, Sr.
Landon Kruer, Navy, So.
Connor Langrell, Bradley, Gr.
Trevor Long, Arizona, Jr.
Chris Lotito, Jacksonville, R-So.
Nick Maldonado, Vanderbilt, Sr.
Nolan McLean, Oklahoma State, Jr.
Simon Miller, UTSA, Jr.
Camden Minacci, Wake Forest, So.
Josh Mollerus, Oregon, Sr.
Tyson Neighbors, Kansas State, So.
Brandon Neely, Florida, So.
Ben Petschke, Samford, Jr.
William Privette, Charleston, Jr.
Carlson Reed, West Virginia, Jr.
Joshua Romero, CSUN, Jr.
Andrew Roman, Boston College, Gr.
Wyatt Rush, Michigan State, Sr.
Kelena Sauer, San Diego State, Jr.
Mitchell Scott, Kent State, Gr.
Teddy Sharkey, Coastal Carolina, Jr.
James Tallon, Duke, Fr.
Jay Thompson, Georgia Southern, Sr.
Andrew Walters, Miami (Fla.), Jr.
Aaron Weber, Oklahoma, So.
CJ Weins, Western Kentucky, Gr.
Kyle Wisch, Southern California, R-Jr.
Jay Woolfolk, Virginia, So.
Chris Veach, South Carolina, R-So.
Jack Zalasky, Sacramento State, Sr.