Szczepanski Named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
2/14/2024 7:12:00 PM | Baseball
Sophomore transfer from Virginia Tech slated as Spartan closer.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State baseball sophomore pitcher Tommy Szczepanski has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List.
Szczepanski was one of six players from the Big Ten on the 73-player list for the 19th Annual NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball.
This is the second-straight season a Spartan has been on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List, as last year's senior closer Wyatt Rush was named to the Midseason List, and went on to ring up 10 saves to finish third in the B1G and tied for 19th in the NCAA in saves in his final season in the Green & White.
Szczepanski, a native of Bay City, Michigan, is in his first season at MSU after transferring from Virginia Tech. At VA Tech, Szczepanski was rated No. 122 in Perfect Game's USA's Top 500 Incoming Freshman entering the 2023 season.
He made six appearances with one start, including coming on in relief for two combined shutouts for the Hokies. Szczepanski fired 10 strikeouts in 6.0 IP (15.0 K/9 innings), yielding just five hits while holding the opposition to a .217 average against him. He also chalked up a season-high three strikeouts twice, striking out the side in his collegiate debut on Feb. 26, 2023 vs. Bryant, then adding three punchouts in 2.0 IP shutout frames vs. Bowling Green on May 6, 2023.
Michigan State opens its 2024 season in the Swig and Swine Classic at Shipyard Park in Charleston, S.C. The Spartans face Merrimack in the season-opener on Friday, Feb. 16 at 12 p.m. ET. The Spartans then play a twinbill against Seton Hall and Lehigh on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. MSU wraps up the opening weekend on Sunday, Feb. 18 battling Ball State at 9 a.m.
Fans can follow this weekend's action with "Watch Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com, with video streaming available for all four games during the extended weekend.
The Spartans' weekend schedule is subject to change, fans can visit msuspartans.com for complete schedule information and updates.
Szczepanski was one of six players from the Big Ten on the 73-player list for the 19th Annual NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball.
This is the second-straight season a Spartan has been on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List, as last year's senior closer Wyatt Rush was named to the Midseason List, and went on to ring up 10 saves to finish third in the B1G and tied for 19th in the NCAA in saves in his final season in the Green & White.
Szczepanski, a native of Bay City, Michigan, is in his first season at MSU after transferring from Virginia Tech. At VA Tech, Szczepanski was rated No. 122 in Perfect Game's USA's Top 500 Incoming Freshman entering the 2023 season.
He made six appearances with one start, including coming on in relief for two combined shutouts for the Hokies. Szczepanski fired 10 strikeouts in 6.0 IP (15.0 K/9 innings), yielding just five hits while holding the opposition to a .217 average against him. He also chalked up a season-high three strikeouts twice, striking out the side in his collegiate debut on Feb. 26, 2023 vs. Bryant, then adding three punchouts in 2.0 IP shutout frames vs. Bowling Green on May 6, 2023.
Michigan State opens its 2024 season in the Swig and Swine Classic at Shipyard Park in Charleston, S.C. The Spartans face Merrimack in the season-opener on Friday, Feb. 16 at 12 p.m. ET. The Spartans then play a twinbill against Seton Hall and Lehigh on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. MSU wraps up the opening weekend on Sunday, Feb. 18 battling Ball State at 9 a.m.
Fans can follow this weekend's action with "Watch Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com, with video streaming available for all four games during the extended weekend.
The Spartans' weekend schedule is subject to change, fans can visit msuspartans.com for complete schedule information and updates.
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