Accolades keep coming in for a Ball State University senior relief pitcher.
Erik Morrison was announced on Wednesday as one of five finalists for the inaugural National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's Stopper of the Year award.
Five pitchers were recognized as finalists for the award, which goes to the top relief pitcher in college baseball for the 2005 season. The inaugural winner will be announced Wednesday.
Morrison will be up against some stiff competition. The other four finalists include Daniel Best from Southern Mississippi, Brent Cox from Texas, Craig Hansen from St. John's (N.Y.) and Steve Kleen from Pepperdine (Calif.).
Morrison and Kleen finished the regular season tied for most saves in the NCAA with 15. Morrison finished his senior season with a 7-0 record and a 1.32 ERA. Last week, he signed a free-agent contract with the New York Yankees and will pitch in their top rookie-league team in Long Island, N.Y. , this coming season.
Kleen (4-3) picked up Pepperdine's first NCAA tournament win against Rhode Island on Saturday, 2-1. Entering the tournament, he had a 1.97 ERA with 41 strikeouts.
Best, Cox and Hansen also helped their respective teams advance to the NCAA tournament.
Best finished the regular season with a 3-0 record -- with 11 saves and a 0.50 ERA. Cox went 7-2 for the season with 14 saves and a 1.77 ERA. Hansen helped the Red Storm into the tournament by finishing 2-2 with 14 saves and a 1.41 ERA during the season.
Morrison was originally one of 35 pitchers from across the country considered for the award.
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