By Branford Clay, Louisiana Tech Associate Director Strategic Communications
RUSTON — Louisiana Tech’s Ethan Bateshas been named an NCBWA Stopper of the Year Finalist, the NCBWA announced on Wednesday.
Eight conferences are represented with finalists, as Conference USA and the Southeastern Conference lead the way with two each. Other conferences included are the Atlantic Coast Conference, the American Athletic Conference, the Big 12 Conference, the Big West Conference, the Pac-12 Conference, and the West Coast Conference.
Ethan Bates, with a 2-1 record this season, led the nation in saves with 17 and broke the Louisiana Tech single-season saves record, as well. The Hot Springs, Arkansas native finished the season with a 3.43 ERA in his 36 appearances on the mound. Bates handed out 52 strikeouts on the bump while giving up 20 walks for the Diamond Dogs. Batters, when facing Bates on the mound this season, had a batting average of .180, which is the second lowest behind Sam Bordersen. Bates finished second all-time in saves at Louisiana Tech with a career total of 27 only Caleb Dudley’s 29 saves is the program record. Bates also had back-to-back season with ten plus after having ten saves in 2023 and 17 saves in 2024.
The Stopper of the Year recipient will be announced via a news conference on Friday, June 14, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.