April 17, 2008

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Senior left-handed pitcher Tyler Conn headlines the National College Baseball Writers Association's Midseason Watch List for the 2008 Stopper of the Year Award. Forty-five relief pitchers are included on the midseason watch list for the fourth annual award given to the top relief pitcher in Division I college baseball.

Conn currently leads the NCAA with 13 saves on the season without allowing an earned run this season. He currently has a record of 1-0 with 32 strikeouts and only five walks in 21 innings of work.

The Ocean Springs, Miss. native has 18 saves in his career at Southern Miss which is third all-time on the schools career list. His 13 saves this season ties him for the most saves in a single season at Southern Miss and he is only three saves shy of tying the Conference USA single season record.

The watch list was compiled from nominations submitted by sports information contacts and conference media relations offices nationwide. At the conclusion of regular season competition, the NCAA Division I saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as the finalists for the award and announced May 28 prior to the start of NCAA regional competition. The winner of the 2008 Stopper of the Year Award will be selected by the NCBWA's All-America Committee and announced Wednesday, June 4, two days before NCAA Super Regional play begins.

-southernmiss.com-