Lorenzen Among Stopper Of The Year Candidates

Files associated with this release:
2012 NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch List

4/20/2012

Cal State Fullerton sophomore Michael Lorenzen was named Thursday to the 45-player midseason watch list for the eighth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.

Lorenzen was the lone selection from the Big West, one of 18 conferences represented on the list.

Lorenzen leads the Big West and is tied for second in the nation with 12 saves.  He is a perfect 12-for-12 in save opportunities and sports a 0.63 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 14.1 innings.

The right-hander is tied for seventh place alongside Chad Cordero (2002) on Cal State Fullerton's single-season saves list.  Lorenzen's next save would move him up into a tie for fourth.  In addition, Lorenzen serves as the everyday centerfielder for the Titans.

Among the other most notable nominees are 2011 Stopper of the Year Award winner Corey Knebel of Texas and preseason All-America selections Tony Bryant of Oregon State, Caleb Reed of Mississippi State, Austin Maddox of Florida and Nick Wittgren of Purdue.

Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information/media relations contacts and more than 90 nominations were received.  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 6, prior to the start of NCAA Super Regional tournament competition.

The NCBWA's All-America Committee will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced during the 2012 College World Series.

2012 NCBWA Stopper of the Year key dates:
• Wed., June 6: Stopper of the Year finalists announced
• TBA (June): NCBWA Stopper of the Year announced (Omaha, Neb.)