GREEENVILLE, N.C. – Missouri State sophomore pitcher Connor Sechler was one of 75 players named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's initial watch list for its 2019 Stopper of the Year Award, given annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball, the organization announced Monday.

A first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference choice as a freshman, Sechler anchored the Bears' bullpen with eight saves and a 2.98 earned run average last spring. The right-hander limited the opposition to a combined .208 batting average, while striking out 59 hitters in 54.1 innings over an MSU freshman-record 32 appearances. The Bolivar, Mo., native led all Valley pitchers with six saves during league play while posting a 2.11 ERA in his 14 MVC outings to earn Freshman All-America laurels from Collegiate Baseball.

The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Dick Howser Trophy to the nation's top player. It also selects All-America Teams for all Divisions, a Division I Freshman All-American team, Division I and III Players of the Week, Division I District Players of the Year and Division III Players of the Year.

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 and Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State winning it in 2007. Georgia's Joshua Fields topped the field in 2008, San Diego State's Addison Reed grabbed the honor in 2009 and Texas' Chance Ruffin earned the honor in 2010. The Longhorns' Corey Knebel won in 2011, with Southeastern Louisiana's Stefan Lopez picking up the honor in 2012. UCLA's David Berg was crowned the winner in 2013, Louisville's Nick Burdi took home the 2014 honor and Berg became the award's first two-time winner in 2015. Miami (Fla.)'s Bryan Garcia was honored as the 2016 recipient followed the Cardinal's Lincoln Henzman in 2017 and Byrne last year.

The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Dick Howser Trophy to the nation's top player. It also selects All-America Teams for all Divisions, a Division I Freshman All-American team, Division I, II and III Players of the Week and Division I, II and III Players of the Year.