Bates named Stopper of the Year finalist

Louisiana Tech’s Ethan Bates has been named an NCBWA Stopper of the Year Finalist, the NCBWA announced on Wednesday.

Eight conferences are represented with finalists, as Conference USA and the Southeastern Conference lead the way with two each. Other conferences included are the Atlantic Coast Conference, the American Athletic Conference, the Big 12 Conference, the Big West Conference, the Pac-12 Conference, and the West Coast Conference.

Ethan Bates, with a 2-1 record this season, led the nation in saves with 17 and broke the Louisiana Tech single season saves record as well. The Hot Springs, Arkansas, native finished the season with a 3.43 ERA in his 36 appearances on the mound. Bates handed out 52 strikeouts on the bump while giving up 20 walks for the Diamond Dogs.

Batters, when facing Bates on the mound this season, had a batting average of .180, which is the second lowest behind Sam Brodersen.

Bates finished second all-time in saves at Louisiana Tech with a career total of 27, only trailing Caleb Dudley’s 29 saves.

The Stopper of the Year recipient will be announced via a news conference on Friday, June 14, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

NCBWA Stopper of the Year Finalists

• Ben Abeldt (SO), TCU: 26 app, 44.1 IP, 1.83 ERA, 8 saves

• Evan Aschenbeck (SR), Texas A&M: 26 app, 60.1 IP, 1.64 ERA, 7 saves

• Ethan Bates (SR), Louisiana Tech: 36 app, 44.2 IP, 3.43 ERA, 17 saves

• Charlie Beilenson (GR), Duke: 34 app, 62.2 IP, 2.01 ERA, 12 saves

• Mason Burns (SR), Western Kentucky: 28 app, 36 IP, 4.00 ERA, 15 saves

• Griffin Herring (SO), LSU: 21 app, 50.1 IP, 1.79 ERA, 6 saves

• Bridger Holmes (JR), Oregon State: 25 app, 32 IP, 1.97 ERA, 13 saves

• Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman (JR), East Carolina: 24 app, 46.1 IP, 1.55 ERA, 5 saves

• Izaak Martinez (r-SR), UC San Diego: 25 app, 63.1 IP, 1.85 ERA, 9 saves

• Conner Thurman (r-SR), San Diego: 29 app, 38.2 IP, 1.40 ERA, 5 saves