Smith Named to Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ? A total of 45 relief pitchers were included on the midseason watch list for the fifth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award, which is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I college baseball. Dartmouth sophomore closer Ryan Smith (Greenlawn, N.Y.) was among those listed.

Smith is currently tied for the Ivy League lead with a school-record 10 saves, which also places him among the top 20 in the country, while posting a 2-2 record with a 4.65 ERA in 31 innings over 22 appearances (tying a Dartmouth record as well). The right-hander has issued just two walks all year while striking out 27, and opponents have hit just .283 against him. He registered saves in eight straight appearances at one point, and his 10th came in the first game of the Ivy Championship series against Cornell on May 2. With 17 career saves in his two seasons, he is already Dartmouth's all-time leader.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader ? currently Addison Reed of San Diego State with 17 ? and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, June 3, prior to the start of NCAA Super Regional play.

The NCBWA's All-America Committee then will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced Saturday, June 13, before the opening of the NCAA College World Series.

Dartmouth hosts Bryant on the diamond at Red Rolfe Field at Biondi Park on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. The Big Green are awaiting their assignment for the NCAA Regionals, having won an automatic berth by defeating Cornell in the best-of-three Ivy Championship. The regional pairings will be televised on ESPN Monday, May 25 at 12:30 p.m.

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