DALLAS - Four Mid-American Conference baseball student-athletes were among 105 players named to the initial 2026 Watch List for the 21st Annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball.

Caden Leonard (Kent State), Carson Byers (Miami), Braden Curry (Toledo) and Turner Doran (Western Michigan) represented the MAC on the national list. 

Leonard earned the recognition after his 2025 campaign, in which he appeared in 20 games for the Golden Flashes, compiling a 4.13 ERA over 28.1 innings. The right-hander went 3-0 with one save on the season, striking out 35 batters while holding opponents to just 30 hits. 

Byers saw 76 innings of work for the RedHawks in 2025, appearing in 23 games and earning six saves. The senior posted a conference-leading ERA of 2.61 while holding opponents to just 22 runs and 24 walks and sent down 72 on strikes. He also held opponents to the lowest batting average in the MAC (.196), number of runs allowed (27), and number of home runs allowed (4). Byers was named a Second Team All-MAC pitcher for his successes on the mound.

Last season, Curry put together a stellar freshman campaign, logging 42.2 innings in 17 appearances, with a 3.16 earned run average, 45 strikeouts to 23 walks and a .227 opponent batting average. He also totaled three saves and a 2-0 record. Curry only allowed one home run in 2025.

Last season, Doran made 16 appearances out of the Western Michigan bullpen and posted a team-best 4.21 ERA over his 25.2 innings of work. The righty compiled 30 strikeouts and led the Broncos with a strikeout rate of 10.52 K/9.

The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Dick Howser Trophy to the nation's top player and the Mike Martin National Coach of the Year to the nation's top coach. It also selects All-America Teams for all Divisions, a Division I Freshman All-American team, Division I, II and III Players of the Week and Division I, II and III Players of the Year.

MAC Student-Athletes on Stopper of the Year Watch List
Caden Leonard, Kent State
Carson Byers, Miami
Braden Curry, Toledo
Turner Doran, Western Michigan