Three Missouri Valley Conference baseball student-athletes have been named to the initial watch list for the eighth annual National
Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball, as announced today by the association. Creighton's Kurt Spomer, Illinois State's Kenny Long and Wichita State's Cale Elam join a list of 45 of the nation's top relievers in early-season consideration for this honor.

KURT SPOMER, CREIGHTON
Spomer made 35 appearances last season, 34 from the bullpen and one start against Nebraska.  In 48.2 innings of work, Spomer surrendered 35 hits and held a 2.22 earned run average, including two stretches of six-plus appearances without an earned run allowed.  He held a 37-13 strikeout-walk ratio, finishign the season with a 3-4 record along with his 13 saves.

Spomer finished the regular season with a 2-0 record at home, picking up five saves, including two in the series with Missouri State that gave the Bluejays their first regular season conference title since 2005.  He then led the Bluejays in the Valley tournament, picking up three saves including in the title win against Wichita State.

Spomer was named the MVC Pitcher of the Week on April 11, after picking up two wins and a save in MVC competition that week.

KENNY LONG, ILLINOIS STATE
Kenny Long earned All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team honors for the second-straight season, after leading the 2011 Redbirds with six saves while boasting a team-low 0.92 ERA. Long also established a 4-1 record with 45 strikeouts through 39.1 innings, and he became the all-time saves leader at Illinois State with 15.

CALE ELAM, WICHITA STATE
Elam, a sophomore right-handed pitcher from Oktaha, Okla., went 4-1 last season with a 1.23 ERA, five saves and 32 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched. 

In 2011, he earned first team Freshman All-American honors from the NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball and was also named second team all-Valley.

Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information/media relation contacts.

The initial list will be updated with a mid-season release the week of April 16, including the national saves leaders. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, June 6, prior to start of NCAA Super Regional tournament competition.

The NCBWA's All-America Committee will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced during the 2012 College World Series.