OMAHA (NCBWA) – Louisville's Lincoln
Henzman was named the 2017 Stopper of the Year
by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
on Saturday at TD Ameritrade Park, becoming the second Cardinal
to capture the award since its inception in 2005.
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Henzman |
Henzman earned All-American first team honors from the NCBWA
to go along with All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team honors
following a stellar regular season. He helped the Cardinals clinch
their fourth College World Series berth with a Super Regional win
over in-state rival Kentucky last weekend.
On Wednesday, Henzman was selected in the fourth round of the
Major League Baseball Draft by the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander
enters play in Omaha with 16 saves, which ranked second nationally.
He also owns a 3-0 record with a 1.77 ERA to go with 36 punch outs
in 35.2 innings worked this season. Thirteen of the Lexington, Kentucky
native's 16 saves came against ACC foes, while opposing hitters
are batting just .164 against him this season.
His 16 saves are the third-most in a single-season by a Louisville
pitcher and his 19 career saves are the third-highest total on the
program’s all-time charts.
The remaining finalists for the Stopper of the Year award included
Michael Byrne of Florida, Josh Hiatt of North Carolina, Colton Hock
of Stanford and Kenyon Yovan of Oregon.
Texas hurler J. Brent Cox won the inaugural Stopper of the Year
Award in 2005, with Don Czyz of Kansas claiming the honor in 2006
and Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State winning it in 2007. Georgia's
Joshua Fields topped the field in 2008, San Diego State's Addison
Reed grabbed the honor in 2009 and Texas' Chance Ruffin earned the
honor in 2010. The Longhorns' Corey Knebel won in 2011, with Southeastern
Louisiana's Stefan Lopez picking up the honor in 2012. UCLA's David
Berg was crowned the winner in 2013, Louisville's Nick Burdi took
home the 2014 honor and Berg became the award's first two-time winner
in 2015. Miami’s Bryan Garcia was the 2016 recipient.
The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Dick Howser Trophy to
the nation's top player. It also selects All-America Teams for all
Divisions, a Division I Freshman All-American team, Division I,
II and III Players of the Week and Division I, II and III Players
of the Year.
2017 NCBWA Stopper of the Year key dates:
• Mon., Feb. 13: Preseason Watch List
• Wed., April 26: Midseason Watch List
• Wed., June 7: Stopper of the Year finalists announced
• Sat., June 17: Stopper of the Year winner announced
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