Rigby leads all returning MSU pitchers in wins (5), innings pitched (48.0), strikeouts (43) and strikeouts looking (16).
Rigby, Smith Named To NCBWA Stopper Of The Year Watch List
February 13, 2017 | Baseball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Senior Blake Smith and junior Ryan Rigby have been named to the initial Watch List for the 13th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball, members of the association announced Monday.
The pair of Mississippi State relievers are both coming off stellar 2016 seasons in which they helped the Bulldogs claim the Southeastern Conference regular season crown. The award's Midseason Watch List will be released on April 26, with the finalists to be named on June 7. The NCBWA Stopper of the Year winner will be announced on June 17.
After having compiled a 5-1 record and 2.25 ERA last season, Rigby leads all returning MSU pitchers in wins (5), innings pitched (48.0), strikeouts (43) and strikeouts looking (16). With a 2.93 ERA, Smith led the Diamond Dawgs in saves (5), while having struck out 31 and held opposing hitters to a team-best .168 batting average.
Rigby, Smith and the rest of the Diamond Dawgs will begin the 2017 season at Dudy Noble Field on Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. CT against 2016 College World Series participant Texas Tech. Season tickets and Pick 15 Flex Pack options are on sale at HailState.com/tickets.
For more information on the Diamond Dawg program, follow the program on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateBB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
MSU Preseason Accolades
OF – Jake Mangum – So.
Preseason First Team All-SEC
D1 Baseball Preseason All-American (First Team)
NCBWA Preseason All-American (First Team)
Perfect Game Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Baseball America Preseason All-American (Second Team)
RHP – Blake Smith – Jr.
NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
OF – Brent Rooker – RJr.
Preseason Second Team All-SEC
Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American (Third Team)
RHP – Blake Smith – Sr.
NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
The pair of Mississippi State relievers are both coming off stellar 2016 seasons in which they helped the Bulldogs claim the Southeastern Conference regular season crown. The award's Midseason Watch List will be released on April 26, with the finalists to be named on June 7. The NCBWA Stopper of the Year winner will be announced on June 17.
After having compiled a 5-1 record and 2.25 ERA last season, Rigby leads all returning MSU pitchers in wins (5), innings pitched (48.0), strikeouts (43) and strikeouts looking (16). With a 2.93 ERA, Smith led the Diamond Dawgs in saves (5), while having struck out 31 and held opposing hitters to a team-best .168 batting average.
Rigby, Smith and the rest of the Diamond Dawgs will begin the 2017 season at Dudy Noble Field on Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. CT against 2016 College World Series participant Texas Tech. Season tickets and Pick 15 Flex Pack options are on sale at HailState.com/tickets.
For more information on the Diamond Dawg program, follow the program on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateBB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
MSU Preseason Accolades
OF – Jake Mangum – So.
Preseason First Team All-SEC
D1 Baseball Preseason All-American (First Team)
NCBWA Preseason All-American (First Team)
Perfect Game Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Baseball America Preseason All-American (Second Team)
RHP – Blake Smith – Jr.
NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
OF – Brent Rooker – RJr.
Preseason Second Team All-SEC
Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American (Third Team)
RHP – Blake Smith – Sr.
NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
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