Matthews and Zimmerman Named to Stopper of the Year Watch List
2/12/2019 5:45:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio - Junior John Matthews and sophomore Jack Zimmerman have been named to the 2019 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List, as announced Monday, Feb. 11. Matthews and Zimmerman are two of 75 relievers on the initial list and represent two of only three pitchers from the Mid-American Conference on the list, which is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
Matthews tossed a 28.2 innings out of the bullpen in 2018, recording 38 strikeouts and allowing only 8 earned runs on the year for a 2.15 ERA. In an appearance against Northern Illinois, the Punxsutawney, Pa. native pitched 3.0 scoreless innings, striking out 6, however he saved the best for last as he allowed only one run out of the bullpen from March 28 through the end of the season and threw 2.2 scoreless innings in relief to help the Flashes knock off New Mexico State in the Lubbock Regional.
Zimmerman made 19 appearances during the 2018 campaign, throwing 16.0 innings and striking out 24 batters. The Akron, Ohio native maintained a 2.25 ERA and had a streak of 12-straight appearances without allowing a run starting April 8 and ending June 3 against Louisville in the Lubbock Regional.
The Flashes will open the 2019 season with a three-game series at Dallas Baptist University Friday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. EST.
The 2019 Kent State Baseball Season is brought to you by Hometown Bank. Hometown Bank and Kent State Baseball – A Winning Team. There's no place like home.
