Bolsinger named to NCBWA watch list

FAYETTEVILLE -Razorback pitcher Mike Bolsinger has earned a spot on the sixth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Watch List, as announced by the association Thursday. He is one of 40 players named to the list which awards the top relief pitching in NCAA Division I baseball."Mike is so deserving of his spot on this list, especially with the way he ended last season," head coach Dave Van Horn said. "This season, he can definitely be used as a closer, but we’re also going to give him some starts early in the season to see how things go. I think he could be an effective combo pitcher for us this year."Bolsinger led the Razorbacks last season with a 2.99 ERA to go along with a 6-4 record and two saves. Used primarily in relief duty, the right-handed senior made 30 appearances with one start. He averaged more than one strikeout per inning, fanning 79 batters in 69.1 innings pitched.During his career at Arkansas, Bolsinger has totaled 118 strikeouts in just over 100 innings of work. He carries a 10-5 overall mark on the mound and has held hitters to a .225 batting average in his first two seasons in Fayetteville. The McKinney, Texas, native was drafted in the 33rd round by the Oakland Athletics following the 2009 season, but returned to the Razorback staff for his senior year.Bolsinger is one of four relievers from the Southeastern Conference selected by the NCBWA, joining Austin Hubbard of Auburn, Jake Morgan of Ole Miss and Matty Ott of LSU. Last season’s Stopper of the Year winner Addison Reed of San Diego State is also among the names to make the cut.The initial list will be updated the week of April 19. Then, the nation’s save leader and four addition relievers will be named as finalists prior to the start of NCAA regional play. The 2010 Stopper of the Year winner will be announced on the opening day of the College World SeriesThe Razorback baseball team opens the 2010 season Feb. 19-21 with a three-game series against Ball State at Baum Stadium. Arkansas’ first seven games, and 12 of its first 15, will be played on its home field.

Download: 2010 Preseason Stopper.pdf