BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (NCBWA) – Five of college baseball's top relief specialists have been selected as finalists for the fifth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, the NCBWA announced Wednesday.
This year's finalists include NCAA saves leader Addison Reed of San Diego State, Kyle Bellamy of Miami (Fla.), Jake Hale of Ohio State, Matty Ott of LSU and Eric Pettis of UC Irvine. All five relief aces helped their respective teams advance to the 64-team field of the 2009 NCAA Baseball Tournament, which continues this weekend at eight super regional sites across the nation.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Superb Ohio State senior closer Jake Hale is one of five finalists for the fifth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, the NCBWA announced Wednesday. The NCBWA's All-America Committee will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced Saturday, June 13, the opening day of the 2009 College World Series.
This year's finalists include Hale, from Albany, Ohio and Alexander High School, Addison Reed of San Diego State, Kyle Bellamy of Miami (Fla.), Matty Ott of LSU and Eric Pettis of UC Irvine. All five relief aces helped their respective teams advance to the 64-team field of the 2009 NCAA Baseball Tournament, which continues this weekend at eight super regional sites across the nation.
“Jake has been, in my opinion, the best closer in college baseball this year,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. “He has done everything we have asked of him out of the bullpen. He has been dominant in his role.”
Hale appeared in a school-record 40 games this season, finished the last 39 games – consecutively – he entered and posted the third-most saves total in college baseball – a school-record 18. He also posted a miniscule 1.31 ERA and an opposing batting average of .191.
The Stopper of the Year will also be recognized on the College Baseball Awards show, July 2 in Lubbock, Texas. This event will feature the presentation of the Dick Howser Trophy to the National Player of the Year. Other awards scheduled to be presented during the show include the Brooks Wallace Award, honoring the nation’s best shortstop, and the Pitcher of the Year Award. All of the NCBWA season awards will be recognized during the show.
OSU Athletics Release
NCBWA Release
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