Local College Hurlers Named Finalists for Baseball ‘Stopper of Year’ Award

Two local relievers have been named finalists for the 2024 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced.

The pitchers, left-hander Izaak Martinez of UC San Diego, and right-hander Conner Thurman of the University of San Diego, both redshirt seniors, are among the 10 finalists.

The winner of the award, given annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball, will be named Friday at the College World Series.

Martinez, in a standout final season with the Tritons, ranked second in the nation with an earned run average of 1.85. He led the Big West in six different categories, including ERA, hits allowed (40) and runs allowed (16), while also ranking third in opponent batting average (.183) and fifth in saves (9).

He was a semifinalist for both the Dick Howser Trophy, given to the top player in college baseball, and College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Year. He also earned his second consecutive All-Big West First Team nod last week.

Thurman had the most dominant college season of his career in 2024, compiling a 4-0 record, five saves and a 1.40 ERA across 29 appearances, one start and 38.2 innings pitched. He struck out 47, walked 10 and held opposing hitters to a .168 batting average.

His final save of the season came at Las Vegas Ballpark, when he sent USD to the NCAA Tournament by closing out a West Coast Conference Championship-clinching win over Portland. He was named to the 2024 All-WCC Second Team for his performance.

The other finalists are Ben Abeldt, TCU; Evan Aschenbeck, Texas A&M; Ethan Bates, Louisiana Tech, Charlie Beilenson, Duke; Mason Burns, Western Kentucky; Griffin Herring, LSU; Bridger Holmes, Oregon State, and Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman, East Carolina.