Stanek on National Pitcher of the Year watch list
By: Brandon Dunn
Updated: April 27, 2012
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas sophomore right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek has been named to the watch list for the National Pitcher of the Year presented by the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the organization announced on Wednesday.
Stanek is one of 51 pitchers across the nation on the watch list for the prestigious award. The Southeastern Conference led all leagues with nine players named to the list.
Stanek has been one of the top pitchers in the SEC and in the country in 2012. A native of Overland Park, Kan., Stanek has posted a 6-2 record with a 2.30 ERA in 10 starts this season. He ranks tied for third in the SEC in wins and his ERA is the fifth-lowest in the conference. Stanek has struck out 57 batters in 58.2 innings and is holding opposing hitters to a .238 batting average. Stanek was recently selected to represent the United States with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer, marking the second straight summer that Stanek has been selected for the team.
A Baseball America third-team preseason All-American, Stanek opened the season with six straight victories, picking up wins over Villanova, Valparaiso, Texas Tech, Binghamton, Alabama and Mississippi State. Of his 10 starts, Stanek has seven quality starts, throwing six or more innings and allowing three or fewer earned runs.
The winner of the Pitcher of the Year Award will be announced on June 30 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of the annual College Baseball Night of Champions.
Stanek and the rest of the No. 21 Arkansas baseball team returns to action this weekend at No. 5 Florida. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. The series finale against the Gators will be nationally televised on ESPN.
