On Friday, February 19th, The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) named 45 players to the initial Watch List for the 16th Annual Stopper of the Year Award, which is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball.
Three HBCU Baseball players were named to the watch list. Seniors Britt Buckelew of Alabama State, Evan Gates of NC A&T and junior Scott Meylan of NC Central were named college baseball’s top relief pitchers to its midseason watch list for the 16th annual (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award.
Britt Buckelew, RHP, sported a 1.15 earned run average in 5 games for Alabama State University while striking out 14 batters, all in relief during shortened 2020 season. Buckelew finished 1-0 on the season, with one save, logged 15.2 innings and allowed 16 hits. He allowed just three runs, two of which were earned with just two walks.
Evan Gates, RHP, maintained a 2.25 earned run average in 9 appearances recording 26 strikeouts for NCA&T in 2020. Opponents hit .114 against Gates as he went 1-1 with two saves on the season. Ranked third in the MEAC and 35th in the nation in pitching appearances. Posted a career-high nine strikeouts over four innings pitched against Lehigh last year.
Scott Meylan, RHP, had a 2.87 earned run average over nine appearances, and earned one win in 2020. Pitched 15.2 innings, and tied for sixth in the MEAC with a team third-most 24 strikeouts. Worked a season-high 4.0 innings against High Point on Feb. 18 with a season-high seven strikeouts. Recorded six strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work against Niagara on Feb. 22. Made five appearances without allowing an earned run, and four without allowing a hit.
In total, 19 conferences are represented on this list with at least two players coming from 10 different leagues.
| 2021 NCBWA STOPPER OF THE YEAR PRESEASON WATCH LIST (45) | ||
| Luke Boyd, Baylor | Jaden Hill, LSU | Jason Ruffcorn, Oklahoma |
| Kyle Brennan, Belmont | Bruce Hudson, Radford | Derek Salata, Illinois State |
| Taylor Broadway, Ole Miss | Hayden Juenger, Missouri State | Frankie Scalzo, Grand Canyon |
| Britt Buckelew, Alabama State | Brett Kerry, South Carolina | Stephen Schoch, Virginia |
| Jason Crumley, Winthrop | Michael Kirian, Louisville | Blake Schriever, CSUN |
| Micah Dallas, Texas Tech | Kent Klyman, N.C. State | Carson Skipper, Auburn |
| Brandon Dufault, Northeastern | Chase Lee, Alabama | Adam Smith, UNCW |
| Devin Fontenot, LSU | Hunter McGarry, FGCU | Dalton Smith, Georgia Tech |
| Evan Gates, North Carolina A&T | Connor Manous, Indiana | Triston Stivors, Texas State |
| Stone Churby, Sacramento State | C.J. Mayhue, East Carolina | Joe Taylor, Nicholls |
| Geoffrey Gilbert, Clemson | Scott Meylan, N.C. Central | Michael Townsend, UCLA |
| Tyler Grauer, Indiana State | Kyle Mora, UCLA | Zebulon Vermillion, Arkansas |
| Haylen Green, TCU | Carson Palmquist, Miami | Redmond Walsh, Tennessee |
| Brock Guffey, Alabama | Spencer Price, Mississippi State | Caleb Wurster, UConn |
| Chase Haney, Florida State | Colten Rendon, Winthrop | Elliot Zoellner, Maryland |
| Click here for .pdf version of release with complete player statistics | ||
2021 NCBWA Stopper of the Year key dates:
• Fri., Feb. 19: Preseason Watch List
• Wed., April 28: Midseason Watch List
• Wed., June 9: Stopper of the Year finalists announced
• Sat., June 19: Stopper of the Year winner announced