Tennessee baseball player Jeff Lockwood was among a list of 40 players named to the initial watch list for the fourth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, the association announced Thursday. The award is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.

As a true freshman last season, Lockwood led the Southeastern Conference with eight saves. The two-way standout from Knoxville, Tenn., once again is expected to serve as the Vols’ closer this year. The left-hander recorded 42 strikeouts against 16 walks in 46 2/3 innings of action a season ago.

He was particularly effective in SEC play, limiting opponents to a .274 batting average and fashioning a 3.93 ERA in 15 league appearances.

Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information directors. The initial list will be updated with a midseason release the week of April 14, including 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, May 28, prior to start of NCAA Regional competition.

The NCBWA’s All-America Committee will then select the winner, with this year’s recipient to be announced Wednesday, June 4, before the opening of NCAA Super Regional play.

With all five of the 2007 finalists 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.

Texas hurler J. Brent Cox won the inaugural Stopper of the Year Award in 2005, with Don Czyz of Kansas claiming the honor in 2006.

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GOMES, LOCKWOOD GARNER SECOND-TEAM PRESEASON ALL-SEC HONORS:

Tennessee sophomores Yan Gomes and Jeff Lockwood both earned second-team inclusion on SEBaseball.com’s Preseason All-SEC Team, the Web site announced Thursday.

Gomes, a catcher from Miami, Fla., was a Freshman All-America honoree in 2007, and his eight home runs last season are tops among all returning Vols. He hit .310 last year with 70 hits and 47 RBI while starting all 59 of Tennessee’s games (26 at catcher and 33 at first base).

Lockwood earned second-team honors as a utility player. He batted .315 last season—including a solid .320 average in SEC play—with 58 hits, four homers and 34 RBI. As the Vols’ closer, Lockwood led the SEC with eight saves.

Lockwood enters 2008 as Tennessee’s starting first baseman, and he also is expected to serve as the team’s closer once again.

Story Courtesy: UT Sports Information