PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Junior righthanders Jacob Wallace (UConn) and Fred Villarreal (Houston) were each recognized among the top 45 relief pitchers in the NCAA this season after being named to the Midseason Update for the 15th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award, as announced by the organization Wednesday.
Wallace owns a 0.38 ERA in 16 appearances out of the bullpen, earning eight saves and two wins this year. Through 24.0 innings pitched, Wallace has scattered one earned run on four hits, issuing four walks, while fanning 35 batters. The Methuen, Mass. native has held batters faced to hitting .138 on the year. His saves are the second-most in The American this season and are tied for 31st in the NCAA, while his ERA and opponent batting average would lead the league if he pitched enough innings per game to meet the statistical minimum requirement.
Villarreal leads the conference in ERA (1.65), saves (9) and appearances (24), and ranks second in opponent batting average (.192). His nine saves are tied for 12th in the nation, while his 1.65 ERA is 22nd in the country. Villarreal co-led the nation with a 0.00 ERA through Houston's first 10 games. His streak without allowing an earned run to start the season ended at 13 and one-third innings with two runs surrendered against Rice on March 5. Villarreal has pitched 43.2 innings this season, surrendering 30 hits, eight earned runs and 14 walks, while fanning 37 batters.