| Zach Calhoon |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ? UTSA junior closer Zach Calhoon was one of 40 players named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year watch list, the organization announced on Tuesday.
The Spring native, who already has earned preseason third-team All-America honors from both the NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball, is coming off a junior season that saw him become the Southland Conference's most dominant closer. In fact, he is the only SLC pitcher on the list.
Calhoon saved a UTSA-record and conference-leading 13 games (in 15 chances), a mark that ranked eighth nationally (nation's third-highest returning total). He saved his first 10 chances of the year and had a 4-1 record and 1.54 ERA in his 26 games out of the bullpen. The 2008 second-team all-conference selection allowed just 22 hits (.153 BAA) and struck out 54 in 41 innings, did not give up an earned run in 20 of his appearances and won or saved 44 percent (17) of the Roadrunners' school-record-tying 39 victories. Calhoon pitched more than an inning in six of his saves and tossed a career-high five frames in winning UTSA's 11-9, 12-inning contest at Houston on April 30. He also set the program's all-time mark on April 4 at Southeastern Louisiana with his 12th career save and stretched that record to 19.
Calhoon was just as successful in league play, saving a league-high 11 contests, which accounted for exactly half of the team's 22 victories. He also was 1-0 with a 1.71 ERA and 29 punchouts in 21 innings of work.
The watch list will be updated with a midseason release the week of April 16, including the national saves leaders. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, May 27, prior to start of NCAA Regional play. The NCBWA's All-America Committee then will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced in early June.
UTSA kicks off its 2009 season on Friday night when it hosts San Francisco in the beginning of four-game series at Wolff Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.