The 2015 Memphis Tigers baseball team continues to receive individual recognition for the team’s superb performances in the first half of the season.
Tiger closer Nolan Blackwood was one of 39 players to be named to the Midseason Stopper of the Year Award Watch List, as announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Tuesday.
Blackwood has been phenomenal when it comes to getting the final three outs, and securing victory after victory for Memphis. He is a perfect 12-for-12 in save opportunities in 2015, in 16 appearances for the Blue and Gray.
The sophomore from Southaven, Mississippi, is now third on the all-time Tiger saves list with 15. Blackwood is now one save away from the single-season record for saves in Memphis baseball history (13).
The NCBWA will announce five finalists for the 2015 Stopper of the Year, the Division I national saves leader, and four other relief pitching standouts on June 3. Prior to the start of NCAA Super Regional competition, the NCBWA's All-America Committee will select the lucky recipient, with this year's winner to be announced during the 2015 College World Series in Omaha.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA, presents the Dick Howser Trophy to the nation's top player. It also selects All-America Teams for all three NCAA Divisions, among the numerous postseason awards.
Blackwood is not the only Tiger to receive national recognition this season, senior co-captain Tucker Tubbs was one of six players named as the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week on April 13. In addition, Tubbs was also named the American Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week on the same day.
He had a phenomenal run the week before hitting six home runs in five games, and now leads the Tigers with 11 home runs on the season.
Sophomore Chris Carrier has dominated the AAC Hitter of the Week award recently, winning two of the last three editions of the award.
Carrier is hitting .254 on the season, and has 24 RBIs on the season, once again showing his worth to the Tiger team.
Memphis’ next home game at FedExPark is April 29 against Mississippi Valley State.
Sophomore Chris Carrier has been running the bases quite a bit for the Tiger baseball team this season. Carrier’s scored 19 runs this season in addition to driving in another 24 runs for the Blue and Gray. Photo by David Minkin
