By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech junior closer Ethan Roberts has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List, as announced by the organization Thursday.
A native of nearby Sparta, Roberts broke the Golden Eagle program record for saves earlier this season and currently owns 25 in his Tech career, ranking fifth in OVC history. Last season, the right-hander set the Tech single-season record with 13 saves and currently is on pace to break that mark in 2018.
This season, Roberts has accumulated a 3-1 record and 10 saves in 15 appearances. In 38 innings, he has struck out a staggering 62 batters while walking just eight and totaling a 2.13 ERA. On Monday, he was honored as the OVC Pitcher of the Week after claiming two saves and 12 strikeouts in five innings and two appearances.
A total of 41 players are among those in contention for the postseason honor, which is given annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. This will mark the 14th year of the award.
Texas hurler J. Brent Cox won the inaugural Stopper of the Year Award in 2005, with Don Czyz of Kansas claiming the honor in 2006 and Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State winning it in 2007. Georgia's Joshua Fields topped the field in 2008, San Diego State's Addison Reed grabbed the honor in 2009 and Texas' Chance Ruffin earned the honor in 2010. The Longhorns' Corey Knebel won in 2011, with Southeastern Louisiana's Stefan Lopez picking up the honor in 2012. UCLA's David Berg was crowned the winner in 2013, Louisville's Nick Burdi took home the 2014 honor and Berg became the award's first two-time winner in 2015. Miami (Fla.)'s Bryan Garcia was honored as the 2016 recipient followed by the Louisville' Lincoln Henzman in 2017.
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, II and III Players of the Week and Division I, II and III Players of the Year.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
