Abbott Named to Stopper of the Year Watch List

2019 Stopper of the Year Watch List

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Sophomore Andrew Abbott (Halifax, Va.) was named to the initial National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Watch List. The award is annually given to NCAA DI Baseball’s top relief pitcher.
 
Abbott proved in his freshman season to be one of the team’s most reliable arms out of the bullpen, appearing 24 games with 23 of them coming in relief. Abbott went on to earn Freshman All-America honors from Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper to go along with ACC All-Freshman accolades.
 
The lefthander tied for the team lead with six saves, while sporting a 3.18 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched. His 74 strikeouts as a reliever were the sixth most in the NCAA and third-most in the ACC. He fanned five or more batters in nine of his 23 relief appearances. Over his final eight appearances on the mound, he held a 1.17 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 15.1 innings pitched.
 
The Cavaliers open up the 2019 season on Friday (Feb. 15) when they take on No. 2 Vanderbilt in the first game of the MLB4 Collegiate Baseball Tournament in Scottsdale, Ariz. The contest will air live on MLB Network at 7 p.m. EST.