Feb. 15, 2008
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of San Diego baseball team's closer AJ Griffin highlights the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award watch list, along with 39 other players in Division I. The award is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
Griffin, a first-team All-West Coast Conference selection last year and preseason All-American, quickly became a big help for the Toreros as a freshman, as he served as USD's primary closer in 2007. The right-hander from Grossmont High School, etched his name into the single-season record books at USD having recorded 11 saves on the season to place second in the category, only trailing Tony Perez's 13 saves set during the 2003 season. Griffin posted an overall record of 6-2 with a team-leading 2.70 ERA. Griffin also fanned 65 batters and issued only 23 walks in 34 appearances.
With all five of the finalists for the 2007 honor having concluded their collegiate careers, a wide-open race for this year's Stopper of the Year Award in anticipated. Sam Houston State relief ace Luke Prihoda, a 24th-round draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks, claimed last year's award. Eight of the nominees were included in the 2008 NCBWA Preseason All-America Team announced by the organization in December.
Nineteen different conferences are represented on this year's talent-filled watch list, with the Pac-10 Conference leading the way with five selections. The Big East and the Big 12 both have four pitchers each on this year's watch list while the Big Ten, SEC and the West Coast Conference are presented by three players each.
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