DALLAS – Sophomore John Armstrong and senior Chase Isbell were named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award Watch List last week.
Presented to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball, the award is in its 18th year of existence. The timeline for the award is as follows.
Mar. 26: Stopper of the Year Award Midseason Watch List announced
June 7: Stopper of the Year Award finalists announced
June 16: Stopper of the Year Award winner announced at College World Series
Both in their second year in an Auburn uniform, Armstrong and Isbell played key roles in Auburn's postseason run to the 2022 College World Series, ultimately making a combined 33 relief appearances during the season.
Armstrong made his 2023 debut in the season opener against Indiana last Friday and pitched a career-high 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one baserunner on a walk and striking out three.
Isbell made his season debut a day later in the series-clinching win against the Hoosiers. The Springville, Alabama, native inherited a bases-loaded, one-out jam against the three and four hitters and got out of it unscathed with a strikeout and a flyout.
The Auburn duo were two of 17 pitchers from the Southeastern Conference named to the list. The 17 representatives were eight more than any other conference.
Armstrong, Isbell and the No. 17 Tigers (2-1) hit the road for the first time this season with a Tuesday matchup against North Alabama (1-2) at 6 p.m. CT at Toyota Field in Madison, Alabama.
Armstrong, Isbell named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List
