Jan. 31, 2012
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By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF junior left-handed pitcher Joe Rogers (Winter Haven, Fla.) is one of 45 players that have been named to the initial watch list for the eighth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award, as announced by the association Wednesday.
This is the second time in as many years that Rogers has started the season on the award watch list that goes to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
Rogers is one of seven relief pitchers from the state of Florida to make the list, and is the lone representative from Conference USA.
Last season, Rogers led the Knights with nine saves to aid the bullpen in closing out a school-record 17 contests. He wrapped up the 2011 campaign going 4-2 on the hill with a 4.79 ERA, striking out 38 and walking just 10 in 41.1 innings.
Entering 2012, Rogers sits at No. 4 on the all-time UCF saves list with 17. The southpaw is only four away from the No. 2 spot shared by Justin Weiss (2006-09) and Brian Huie (1990-92) and 10 away from No. 1 (Jason Arnold, 1998-01).
Rogers and the No. 21 Knights will kick off the 2012 season with Opening Knight Friday, Feb. 17, at 6:30 p.m. against Long Island. Admission to the first game of the season will be free for all in attendance. Season tickets are currently on sale and there are several different packages to choose from. Call the UCF Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000 or visit UCFAthletics.com for more details.