COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - VMI closer John Garrett was one of 75 players named to the watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year award, as announced by the organization Friday afternoon. The award honors the NCBWA's pick for the top relief pitcher in college baseball.
Garrett comes off a 2012 season that saw him post a 2.03 ERA, six saves and better than a 5 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio. The senior was one of just three pitchers to earn votes in the Big South's Preseason Pitcher of the Year voting, tying for second in that balloting, and is one of just four pitchers from the conference to earn a spot on the NCBWA's Watch List. He is the fourth VMI player to be selected to the Watch List for the honor, joining Kevin Crum (2007), Travis Smink (2009) and current VMI student assistant coach Michael Devine (2011).
Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information/media relations contacts. The initial list will be updated with a mid-season release the week of April 16, 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 5, prior to start of NCAA Super Regional tournament competition.
From the list of finalists, the NCBWA's All-America Committee will select a winner. The ninth annual winner will be announced in Omaha on Saturday, June 15, the opening day of the College World Series.
VMI baseball will open its season Feb. 15, taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
