Long named to Midseason NCBWA Stopper of the Year watch list

[April 20, 2012]  WICHITA, Kan. -- Senior left-handed closer Kenny Long has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Midseason Stopper of the Year watch list, announced Thursday. Long is one of 45 players in the running for the annual award presented to the top relief pitcher in the nation.

Long leads Illinois State with a 1.40 ERA and seven saves through 25 2-3 innings pitched. The Fox River Grove, Ill., native has registered 24 strikeouts with just five walks. He is limiting opposing batters to a .167 average. Long holds the career-saves record at Illinois State with 22, and he needs just two more saves to tie the single-season mark of nine, which he tied in 2010. Long also ranks third on the career appearance list with 83, which is three behind Eric Theisen (86) and seven behind record-holder Jim Sajewich (90).

Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information and media relations contacts, and more than 90 nominations were received. 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 the names released June 6, prior to start of NCAA super regional tournament competition.

The Missouri Valley Conference landed three relievers on the midseason list, including Long, Missouri State's Tyler Burgess and Wichita State's Cale Elam. The NCBWA's all-America committee will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced during the 2012 College World Series.

Long and the Redbirds return to Duffy Bass Field this weekend for a three-game series against Bradley, starting Friday at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free to all home games this season.

[Text from news release received from John Twork, athletics communications, Illinois State University]