University of Louisville junior right-handed pitcher Gabriel Shaw was named Thursday to the initial watch list for the sixth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, which is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
Shaw, a 6-1, 200-pound native of Paducah, Ky., led the Cardinals with three saves in 2009. He finished with a 3-1 record overall and a 3.73 ERA in 29 appearances. He also had 47 strikeouts in 50.2 innings.
The initial list will be updated with a mid-season release the week of April 19, including the national saves leaders. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, June 2, prior to start of NCAA regional tournament competition. The NCBWA's All-America Committee then will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced on the opening day of the College World Series on June 19.
Louisville will open the 2010 season on Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. ET, in the first of three games against Bowling Green at Jim Patterson Stadium
