Schoch named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Graduate student Stephen Schoch was one of 65 collegiate relievers to appear on the 2021 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List. Schoch was one of 11 pitchers on the midseason list who were on the original preseason watch list back in February.

Schoch (Laurel, Md.) has appeared in 15 games out of the bullpen this season and has recorded seven saves, the second most in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Schoch is 2-0 with a 1.78 ERA in 25.1 innings pitched. The sidearmer has struck out 35 batters, second most out of the bullpen on the Cavalier pitching staff.

His save in the opener against Duke on April 23 was his 12th in two seasons with the Cavaliers and is tied for the 10th most in program history. He came to UVA after a program record 13 saves at UMBC and his 25 career saves are tied for the third most among active NCAA pitchers.

The NCBWA will announce the finalists on Wednesday, June 9 with the winner being

named on Saturday, June 19 at the 2021 College World Series.

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association introduced the Stopper of the Year award in the 2005 season to honor the nation’s top relief pitcher. Each year, the NCBWA announces a preseason watch list and then updates the list in midseason. Before the NCAA regionals, the association picks up to five finalists for the award. The regular-season national saves leader is automatically chosen as a finalist.