PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers baseball LHP Dale Stanavich earned a spot on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year watch list released recently. The award is presented annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
 
Stanavich made his season debut Friday and immediately induced a double play to close out the 4-0 win over Houston Baptist. The left-hander then retired all three batters faced Sunday on nine pitches to wrap up the sweep.
 
Also appearing on the Perfect Game Preseason All-Big Ten Team, Stanavich saw action in 17 games out of the bullpen in his first season as a Scarlet Knight in 2021. The lefty ranked sixth in the Big Ten following the regular season with five saves. He also led the staff with a 3.13 ERA and 11.74 strikeouts per nine innings, totaling 30 overall in 23 innings with at least one punchout in 14-of-17 games. Stanavich ended the season with five-straight scoreless appearances, including striking out the side on back-to-back days versus Illinois to finish.
 
Stanavich followed up by claiming a spot on the Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Team, working to a 2.29 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 19.2 innings in the summer for Brewster.
 
The Scarlet Knights (3-0) are back on the field Friday at Coastal Carolina (3-1). First pitch is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+.



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