GREENVILLE, N.C. – Trey Braithwaite (So., Winchester, Va.) was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Midseason list.
The NCBWA Stopper of the Year list includes 45 of the top relief pitchers from around the country. The list includes 12 players who have already reached double-digit saves this season and Braithwaite is nearing the double-digit mark with nine saves in 2019.
During his sophomore campaign, Braithwaite has made nine saves in 18 appearances while going 1-0 on the mound. His nine saves on the year currently rank 16th overall in the nation. He has compiled a 1.99 ERA in 22-2/3 innings of relief allowing 18 hits and five runs. In his first season as the Midshipmen's closer, Braithwaite has led the bullpen with 29 strikeouts and is allowing the opposition to hit just .214 at the plate.
Braithwaite's nine saves this spring are most in the Patriot League and are more than any other Patriot League team. In the Navy record books, Braithwaite ranks second all-time for saves in a single season. He is tied with JD Melton at nine after Melton's nine-save season in 2007. The year prior in 2006, Ryan Hefner set the program record for saves in a season with 10. In the career ranks, Braithwaite is alone in sixth and trails Melton's 17 career saves, which he recorded from 2007-09.
Braithwaite is just one of 15 underclassmen on the midseason list. Overall, 23 conferences are represented with the Southeastern Conference leading the way with seven relief pitchers mentioned. The Big Ten, Mountain West Conference and Pac-12 each have three players mentioned on the list.
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. The Stopper of the Year Award started in 2005 and has been handed out to the top collegiate relief pitcher since.
Navy is back at home this weekend for its final home weekend of the regular season as it hosts Lehigh on Saturday and Lafayette on Sunday.
