Branden Kline Named to NCBWA Stopper of Year Midseason Watch List

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia sophomore right-handed pitcher Branden Kline (Frederick, Md.) has been tabbed on the midseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Kline is one of 45 relief pitchers on the watch list. The award is presented to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.

Kline currently owns 11 saves for the top-ranked Cavaliers, who are 38-3 overall and lead the ACC Coastal Division with a 16-2 mark. In a team-high 18 appearances totaling 24 innings this season, Kline owns a 3-0 record with a 1.88 ERA. He has struck out 24 and walked only nine.

Kline is tied for third nationally in saves. With 11 saves this year, he also is tied for fourth on the single-season Virginia saves list.

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 1, 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 18.

Virginia continues ACC play this weekend with a three-game series against North Carolina State. The teams will play at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.