Jan. 28, 2010
IRVINE, Calif. - For the second consecutive season Gonzaga University pitcher Cody Martin has been named to the Preseason Stopper of the Year Watch List by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Forty players were named to the initial watch list for the sixth annual NCBWA award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
Martin received the same recognition prior to last season and later appeared on the midseason list before earning an invite to the Team USA National team trials this past June. In 23 appearances for the Zags last year the Dos Palos, Calif. native posted a team-best 3.07 ERA while going 5-4 with six saves and recording 68 strikeouts in 58.2 innings. In 2008, Martin set the school record for saves in a season with nine and later garnered Freshman All-America third team honors, All-West Coast Conference honorable mention and a spot on the All-WCC Freshmen team.
Last year's Stopper of the Year winner, Addison Reed of San Diego State, headlines the list of preseason nominees for the 2010 award. Reed recorded a nation-leading 20 saves in 20 opportunities last season, finished the year with a microscopic 0.65 earned run average and 38 strikeouts over his 27.2 innings of work. He allowed only seven walks, with two of those being intentional passes and his save total was a new San Diego State and Mountain West Conference season record.
The Big 12 Conference led the way with five players named to the preseason watch list. The ACC, Conference USA and the SEC had four pitchers each on this year's watch list, while the Pacific-10 Conference is represented by three players and the West Coast Conference with two (Zach Varce - Portland).
Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information/media relation contacts. The initial list will be updated with a mid-season release the week of April 19, including the national saves leaders. 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 2, prior to start of NCAA regional tournament competition.
The NCBWA's All-America Committee then will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced on the opening day of the College World Series on June 19.
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, Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State winning it in 2007, Georgia's Joshua Fields topping the field in 2008 and San Diego State's Addison Reed grabbing the honor last season.
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.
2010 NCBWA STOPPER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
PITCHER SCHOOL YR
Steve Arico Virginia Jr.
Chris Bassit Akron So.
Colin Bates North Carolina Jr.
Chad Bettis Texas Tech Sr.
Mike Bolsinger Arkansas Sr.
Collin Cargill Southern Miss Jr.
Andrew Chafin Kent State So.
Chase Dempsay Houston Jr.
Ryan Duke Oklahoma Jr.
Chris Enourato West Virginia Sr.
Nick Fleece Texas A&M Jr.
Chris Franklin SE Louisiana Sr.
Drew Gagnier Oregon Jr.
Tim Girdwood Elon Jr.
Cole Green Texas Jr.
Austin Hubbard Auburn Sr.
Mitchell Lambson Arizona State So.
Justin Malone Georgia State So.
Eric Marshall TCU Sr.
Cody Martin Gonzaga Jr.
Scott Matyas Minnesota Jr.
Randy McCurry Oklahoma State Jr.
Kevin McKague Army Jr.
Jarad Miller Valparaiso Jr.
Tyler Mizenko Winthrop So.
Kevin Moran Boston College Jr.
Jake Morgan Mississippi Jr.
Kevin Munson James Madison Jr.
Matty Ott LSU So.
Nick Pepitone Tulane Jr.
Eric Pettis UC Irvine Sr.
Mark Pope Georgia Tech So.
Nick Ramirez Cal State Fullerton So.
Addison Reed San Diego State So.
Kevin Rhoderick Oregon State Jr.
Michael Schum Wright State So.
Gabriel Shaw Louisville Jr.
Chad Sheppard Northwestern State So.
Seth Simmons East Carolina Jr.
Zach Varce Portland So.
