Packer Named to Midseason Watch List for Stopper of Year Award

Story Links

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Virginia junior left-hander Matt Packer (Germantown, Tenn.) is among 45 relief pitchers who are included on the midseason watch list for the fifth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award. The award is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I college baseball.

With a team-high 17 appearances this season, Packer is 1-3 with two saves and a 4.24 earned run average. In 23.1 innings, he has struck out 32 batters.

The Atlantic Coast Conference led the way with seven players named to the midseason watch list. The Big 12 had five, while the West Coast, Southeastern and Pac-10 conferences added four pitchers each on the watch list.

The watch list was compiled from nominations submitted by sports information contacts and conference media relations offices nationwide. 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 June 3 prior to start of NCAA Super Regional play.

The NCBWA’s All-America Committee then will select the winner, with this year’s recipient to be announced June 13 before the opening of NCAA College World Series.

Packer and the No. 13 Cavaliers travel to Boston College for a three-game ACC series this weekend.