Lunsford-Shenkman Named Finalist For NCBWA Stopper Of The Year Award
June 05, 2024 | Baseball
DALLAS, Texas – East Carolina junior RHP Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman has been tabbed one of 10 finalists for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award according to an announcement by the organization Wednesday afternoon.
Â
The award is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball. The recipient will be announced via a news conference on Friday, June 14, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
Â
Lunsford-Shenkman, also selected a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, was named to the All-American Athletic Conference First Team and concluded the campaign with team-best marks in earned run average (1.55) and saves (five) while slotting second on the club in strikeouts (79). Opposing batters hit just .218 off of him and he registered at least five strikeouts in seven outings – including a career-high eight in four scoreless innings versus Charlotte on April 13.
Â
These finalists are amongst a list of previous standout NCBWA Stoppers of the Year with Texas' J. Brent Cox, 2005; Kansas' Don Czyz, 2006; Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State, 2007; Georgia's Joshua Fields, 2008; San Diego State's Addison Reed, 2009; Texas' Chance Ruffi, 2010; Texas' Corey Knebel, 2011; Southeastern Louisiana's Stefan Lopez, 2012; UCLA's David Berg, 2013 and 2015; Louisville's Nick Burdi, 2014; Miami (Fla.) hurler Bryan Garcia, 2016; Louisville's Lincoln Henzman, 2017; Florida's Michael Byrne, 2018; UCLA's Holden Powell, 2019; Arkansas' Kevin Kopps, 2021; Texas State's Tristan Stivors, 2022 and Oral Roberts' Cade Denton in 2023. There was no winner in 2020 due to the COVID-19-shortened season.
Â
2024 NCBWA Stopper Of The Year Finalists
Ben Abeldt, So., TCU
Evan Aschenbeck, Sr., Texas A&M
Ethan Bates, Sr., Louisiana Tech
Charlie Beilenson, Gr., Duke
Mason Burns, Sr., Western Kentucky
Griffin Herring, So., LSU
Bridger Holmes, Jr., Oregon State
Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman, Jr., East Carolina
Izaak Martinez, R-Sr., UC San Diego
Conner Thurman, R-Sr., San Diego
Â
Â
The award is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball. The recipient will be announced via a news conference on Friday, June 14, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
Â
Lunsford-Shenkman, also selected a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, was named to the All-American Athletic Conference First Team and concluded the campaign with team-best marks in earned run average (1.55) and saves (five) while slotting second on the club in strikeouts (79). Opposing batters hit just .218 off of him and he registered at least five strikeouts in seven outings – including a career-high eight in four scoreless innings versus Charlotte on April 13.
Â
These finalists are amongst a list of previous standout NCBWA Stoppers of the Year with Texas' J. Brent Cox, 2005; Kansas' Don Czyz, 2006; Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State, 2007; Georgia's Joshua Fields, 2008; San Diego State's Addison Reed, 2009; Texas' Chance Ruffi, 2010; Texas' Corey Knebel, 2011; Southeastern Louisiana's Stefan Lopez, 2012; UCLA's David Berg, 2013 and 2015; Louisville's Nick Burdi, 2014; Miami (Fla.) hurler Bryan Garcia, 2016; Louisville's Lincoln Henzman, 2017; Florida's Michael Byrne, 2018; UCLA's Holden Powell, 2019; Arkansas' Kevin Kopps, 2021; Texas State's Tristan Stivors, 2022 and Oral Roberts' Cade Denton in 2023. There was no winner in 2020 due to the COVID-19-shortened season.
Â
2024 NCBWA Stopper Of The Year Finalists
Ben Abeldt, So., TCU
Evan Aschenbeck, Sr., Texas A&M
Ethan Bates, Sr., Louisiana Tech
Charlie Beilenson, Gr., Duke
Mason Burns, Sr., Western Kentucky
Griffin Herring, So., LSU
Bridger Holmes, Jr., Oregon State
Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman, Jr., East Carolina
Izaak Martinez, R-Sr., UC San Diego
Conner Thurman, R-Sr., San Diego
Â
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ BaseballECU Baseball Breaks Ground for the Dick and Sarah Bennett Baseball Building.
Friday, September 05
ECU Baseball NCAA Selection Show
Monday, May 26
ECU's Cliff Godwin Celebrates AAC Championshipmp4
Sunday, May 25
Cliff Godwin ECU Baseball Media Day
Monday, January 27
