Wright named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University baseball junior Chris Wright (Cumberland, R.I.) has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List.

Wright is one of 45 players nationally listed on the preseason watch list. The list includes 12 players who have already reached double-digit saves this season, including Wright.

The Rhode Island native has appeared in 17 games and is 11-for-13 in save opportunities. Wright has struck out 46 batters and allowed just 15 hits in 25 1/3 innings this year. He ranks seventh nationally in saves and is second nationally in strikeouts per nine innings. Wright's 11 saves are the second-most in DI program history and the third most in program history.

Wright opened the season by recording 25 of 31 outs via the strikeout. He struck out three of the four batters he faced at No. 1 LSU, struck out all four batters he faced in game one vs. Elon before striking out six more in the series finale. He fanned a season-high seven in a three-inning save against Quinnipiac.

Texas hurler J. Brent Cox won the inaugural Stopper of the Year Award in 2005, with Don Czyz of Kansas claiming the honor in 2006 and Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State winning it in 2007. Georgia's Joshua Fields topped the field in 2008, San Diego State's Addison Reed grabbed the honor in 2009 and Texas' Chance Ruffin earned the honor in 2010. The Longhorns' Corey Knebel won in 2011, with Southeastern Louisiana's Stefan Lopez picking up the honor in 2012. UCLA's David Berg was crowned the winner in 2013, Louisville's Nick Burdi took home the 2014 honor and Berg became the award's first two-time winner in 2015. Miami (Fla.)'s Bryan Garcia was honored as the 2016 recipient followed by Louisville's Lincoln Henzman in 2017 and Florida's Michael Byrne last year.

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.