Woody Named to Stopper Watch List

Feb. 23, 2005

WACO, Texas - Baylor junior right-hander Abe Woody has been named to the initial watch list for the 2005 National Stopper of the Year Award, sponsored by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association. One of 30 Division I closers from across the nation in the running for the first-year award, Woody joins Texas junior J. Brent Cox as the only Big 12 Conference closers on the list.

"Relief pitching is a component of the college game that is just as important as starting pitching, hitting or defense," Mike Montoro, NCBWA President, said upon announcement of the award's creation. "It is an area that is often overlooked and underappreciated. Because of that, the NCBWA board believed that now was an appropriate time to initiate such an award. We are excited that this important part of the game is being recognized with a national award this season."

Woody, a product of Round Rock [Texas] High School, boasts a career record of 11-1 with a 3.58 ERA and 10 saves in 57 career relief appearances. He led the Bears with five saves last season and is currently tied for second in the Big 12 with two saves this season. Woody has tallied 83 career strikeouts in 110.1 innings of work while holding opponents to a .212 batting average.

At the end the regular season, the Division I leader in saves and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as the award's finalists. These finalists will be released June 1, just prior to the beginning of NCAA regional play. From the list of finalists, the NCBWA's All-America Committee will select a winner. The inaugural winner will be announced on June 8, two days prior to the beginning of NCAA Super Regional action.

The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Xanthus-Dick Howser Trophy to the nation's top player. It also selects a Division I All-America Team, Division I and III Players of the Week, Division I District Players of the Year and Division III Players of the Year.

2005 NCBWA STOPPER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST

Player Class R/LHP University

Byron Binda Sr. RHP Coastal Carolina

Richard Boothe Sr. RHP Eastern Michigan

Steve Cogswell Sr. RHP Georgia Southern

J. Brent Cox Jr. RHP Texas

John Cronin Sr. RHP Richmond

Joey Devine Jr. RHP N.C. State

Blair Erickson So. RHP UC-Irvine

Trey Fausnaugh So. RHP Ohio State

Derek Feldkamp Jr. RHP Michigan

John Gaub So. LHP Minnesota

Brian Halford Jr. RHP Louisville

Craig Hansen Jr. RHP St. John's

Brett Harker So. RHP College of Charleston

Jay Heafner Jr. RHP Davidson

Brad Kilby Sr. LHP San Jose State

Casey Lambert So. LHP Virginia

Mick Lefort Sr. RHP Rhode Island

Darren O'Day Jr. RHP Florida

Brian Pellegrini So. RHP St. Bonaventure

Anthony Rea Sr. RHP Santa Clara

Kevin Rhodes Jr. RHP East Carolina

Derek Roach So. LHP Wichita State

Adam Simon Jr. RHP UCLA

Darek Stanfield Sr. RHP Akron

Will Startup Jr. LHP Georgia

Matt Swanson Sr. RHP California

Jon Wilson Jr. RHP Winthrop

Robert Woodard So. RHP North Carolina

Abe Woody Jr. RHP Baylor

Zechry Zinicola So. RHP Arizona State

Woody Named to Stopper Watch List

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