Arkansas left handed pitcher Ethan McElvain has been named among the 14 finalists for the 21st annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, presented to the nation’s top relief pitcher.
McElvain was a force out of the bullpen during this season, posting a 6-0 record to go along with a 1.03 ERA and six saves in 35.0 innings in 19 relief appearances.
The former Vanderbilt transfer earned All-SEC honors during his first season at Arkansas. He belted 52 strikeouts and limited opposing hitters to a .163 average while allowing only four runs on 21 hits and 10 walks.
During a relief appearance against Kentucky on May 15, McElvain struck out a season-high seven batters in three scoreless innings. Then, he turned around the next weekend and tossed a season-long 4.1 innings of shutout action against Auburn at the SEC Tournament.
McElvain hurled six strikeouts against the Tigers in a 2-1 victory.
During his final appearance of the year, McElvain earned a start against Kansas in the Lawrence Regional Final. He allowed just four runs in 3.1 innings but was not enough to extend the Razorbacks postseason by forcing a Game 7.
The 2026 NCBWA Stopper of the Year will be announced during a press conference at the College World Series June 12 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb.
Former Arkansas pitcher Kevin Kopps won the award during his legendary 2021 season. Kopps’ dominance on the mound resulted in him being named the Golden Spikes Award before being selected in the third round of the MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres.
2026 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award finalists:
John Abraham, Jr., Florida State (ACC)
Caden Aoki, Gr., Georgia (SEC)
Nick Bonn, Sr., Cal Poly (Big West)
Tanner Bradley, So., Oregon (Big Ten)
Sam Cozart, Fr., Texas (SEC)
Clayton Freshcorn, Jr., Texas A&M (SEC)
Caden Glauber, Fr., North Carolina (ACC)
Cooper Harrington, So., Liberty (CUSA)
Easton Hawk, So., UCLA (Big Ten)
Skyler Hutto, Jr., Jacksonville State (CUSA)
Ethan McElvain, Jr., Arkansas (SEC)
Wylan Moss, So., UCLA (Big Ten)
Albert Roblez, Sr., Oregon State (Independent)
J’Shawn Unger, So., Nebraska (Big Ten)