DALLAS – Junior right-hander Blake Burkhalter is one of 10 finalists for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award.
Four of the 10 finalists for the award given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball hail from the Southeastern Conference.
Burkhalter leads the SEC and ranks eight in the country with 13 saves this season, which is also tied for the third most in program history including the most since 2005. He has posted a 4-2 record with a 4.02 ERA and has struck out 59 batters to go along with issuing only seven walks in 40.1 innings.
A native of Dothan, Alabama, Burkhalter earned three saves in as many appearances during the team's sweep of South Carolina, becoming the first player in program history and the first in the league since 2017 to accomplish the feat. Earlier this week, he recorded the final six outs in Auburn's regional final against UCLA, sending the Tigers to a super regional for the third time in the last four seasons.
Burkhalter and the No. 14 Tigers (40-19) begin their three-game super regional at No. 3 Oregon State (47-16) Saturday at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
The Stopper of the Year Award winner will be announced via a news conference on Friday, June 17 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award Finalists
Player
Will Brian, Eastern Kentucky (ASUN)
Blake Burkhalter, Auburn (SEC)
Jack Gowen, Georgia (SEC)
Tyler Guilfoil, Kentucky (SEC)
Jackson Kelley, Mercer (SOCON)
William Privette, College of Charleston (CAA)
Carter Spivey, East Carolina (AAC)
Tristan Stivors, Texas State (Sun Belt)
Andrew Walters, Miami, Fla. (ACC)
Redmond Walsh, Tennessee (SEC)
Burkhalter named finalist for NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award
