Vannelle Tabbed to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List

TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona Baseball's standout right-handed reliever Vince Vannelle has been selected to the Midseason Watch List for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, the association's members announced on Wednesday.

Vannelle, a senior, is one of just four Pac-12 players who received watch list recognition. He is also the first Arizona pitcher selected to the midseason watch list since Bobby Dalbec in 2016.

The Dublin, Ohio native has pitched crucial, high-leverage innings for the Wildcats all season and has amassed six saves to go alongside a sparkling 2.05 ERA and 3-2 record. Across 16 games and 22.0 innings, Vannelle has allowed just five earned runs and struck out 24 while holding opposing hitters to a .226 batting average. He has held opposing offenses off the scoreboard in 10-of-16 appearances this year, and allowed zero earned runs in 11-of-16 games. Vannelle has excelled in Pac-12 conference play as well, picking up four of his six saves and posting a stingy 1.86 ERA through seven appearances.

For his career, Vannelle has logged time in 47 games and recorded a 6-4 record, a 2.64 ERA, and double-digit saves. His 10 career saves are tied for the eighth-most in program history.

Wednesday's watch list recognition marks the second honor of the year for Vannelle, who was also tabbed to the Perfect Game Preseason All-Pac-12 team before the year began.

The NCBWA will announce their Stopper of the Year finalists on Wednesday, June 9 and crown a winner on Saturday, June 19 at the 2021 College World Series.

Vannelle and the Wildcats return to action at Hi Corbett Field this Friday, April 30 in the first of three games against the Utah Utes. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. MST.