DALLAS – One day before the start of the 2022 season, EKU pitcher Will Brian joined 65 others from across the nation on the watch list for the 2022 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award.
 
The award is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball.  Brian is one of only three players from the ASUN Conference on the watch list.
 
The Brandenburg, Kentucky native was chosen as a third team Preseason All-American by the NCBWA earlier this month.  Brian was selected second team Midwest All-Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) last season.
 
The 5-foot-11 left-hander led the conference with 10 saves and went 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in 2021.  He struck out 48 in 32 and two-thirds innings.
 
Brian made his 2022 debut against Mercer on Sunday.  He entered the game in the bottom of the eighth with no outs, a runner on first and the Colonels trailing by one run.  The runner advanced to second on a ground ball.  After a walk to put two runners on, Brian induced a soft pop up to the shortstop before lead-off batter Colby Thomas stepped to the plate.  Thomas hit .462 with five extra-base hits over the weekend.  Brian struck him out on four pitches to keep Eastern Kentucky within one going to the ninth.
 
The first of 10 straight home games for EKU is scheduled for Wednesday against Kentucky State at 3 p.m.  EKU baseball season tickets can be purchased at EKUSports.com/2022BaseballTix.  For questions regarding season tickets, call 844-3-GOBIGE.