Courtesy of North Carolina A&T State Athletic Communications


GREENSBORO, N.C. – Senior right-handed pitcher Evan Gates has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) 2021 Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List, the association announced Friday.

The award is presented to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. 

"Evan is a tireless worker and once-in-a-career type of person," head baseball coach Ben Hall said. "He is poised for a great year." 

Gates was off to a ridiculous start in 2020. Through nine appearances, Gates had 16.0 innings pitched and 26 strikeouts, the most of any player on the watch list. He allowed just eight hits and four runs, all earned for a 2.25 ERA. Opposing batters stood almost no chance against the righty flamethrower, hitting just .154 against him.

Gates also had two saves in his nine appearances. 

Gates is one of just two players in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) named to the Watch List, joining North Carolina Central's Scott Meylan.