Walker led C-USA with eight saves entering this week. |
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Walker on Stopper of the Year Award Midseason Watch List
April 20, 2005
Dallas, Texas - Charlotte 49er Erik Walker (Clemmons, N.C./West Forsyth) has been named to the midseason watch list for the inaugural National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, the association announced Wednesday. The award will be given annually to the top relief pitcher in Division I. Thirty-five players made the midseason watch list.
Walker, Charlotte's junior closer, was one of nearly 60 relievers considered for the list. He is tied for 11th in the nation with eight saves this season, just three back of the national leader. With two wins, Walker has won or saved nearly half of Charlotte's victories this year (10 of 22).
Last Sunday, Walker broke the school's all-time saves record when he recorded his 15th in a win over Cincinnati. He needs just three more this year to tie the school's all-time single-season record.
Entering this week, Walker led Conference USA in saves (8), appearances (20), and games finished (19), while ranking fourth in batters struck out looking (22).
With 42 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings this season, Walker would be among the national top 15 in strikeouts per nine innings. Currently he falls just short of the innings standard necessary to qualify for that national list (1.0 inning for every team game). His ERA is just 1.15 in 20 appearances this season.
"The midseason watch list represents the best relief pitchers in the nation," said Mike Montoro, NCBWA President. "It takes a unique mentality and makeup to be a great relief pitcher. The reliever enters the game many times with the outcome on the line and their ability to handle the pressure associated with that role is what defines their importance to their teams.
"As the college game has developed over the years and teams are utilizing their bullpens more now than ever before, the role of the relief pitcher has become as important to the team's success as any other phase of the game. There are awards given each year to the top hitter, top player and top pitcher of the year, the time has come to honor these unsung heroes on the diamond, and we are excited to honor the top relief pitcher in the nation."
The midseason watch list represents 15 conferences, led by four players each from the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big West Conference, Conference USA and the Southeastern Conference.
At the end the regular season, the Division I leader in saves and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as the award's first finalists. These finalists will be released on Wednesday, June 1, just prior to the beginning of NCAA regional play. From the list of finalists, the NCBWA's All-America Committee will select a winner. The first annual winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 8, two days prior to the beginning of NCAA super regional action.
The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Xanthus-Dick Howser Trophy to the nation's top player. It also selects a Division I All-America Team, Division I and III Players of the Week, Division I District Players of the Year and Division III Players of the Year.
(Information from the NCBWA was used in compiling this report).
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