Two former Valley Baseball League pitchers – JMU’s Joe Vogatsky and South Carolina’s Garrett Gainey – have been named to the Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List.
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association introduced the Stopper of the Year award in the 2005 season to honor the nation’s top relief pitcher. Each year, the NCBWA announces a preseason watch list and then updates the list in midseason. Before the NCAA regionals, the association picks up to five finalists for the award. The regular-season national saves leader is automatically chosen as a finalist.
Vogatsky, who played for the Purcellville Cannons, is 3-1 with six saves this season for Dukes. He has a 2.88 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 15 walks in 34.1 innings.
Gainey, who played with the Winchester Royals, is 0-2 with six saves for the Gamecocks. He has a 3.05 ERA with 56 strikeouts and just six walks in 38.1 innings pitched.
A total of 59 pitchers representing 20 conferences are included on midseason list.