OMAHA, Neb. — Arizona’s Tony Pluta was named the Stopper of the Year, one of three players awarded by the National College Baseball Writers Association Friday morning, ahead of the opening day of the 75th Men’s College World Series.
The honor is given to the country’s top relief pitcher. Pluta has a 1.26 ERA and .82 WHIP this season and has only allowed five earned runs this season.
Arizona’s Tony Pluta celebrates after recording the final out against North Carolina in Game 3 of their NCAA Super Regional series on Sunday at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The right-hander broke the Wildcat’s single-season saves record, posting 14 in 28 appearances. Pluta was also named the Big-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year last month, among other accolades.
Florida State shortstop Alex Lodise won the Dick Howser Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top player. The 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year had a .394 batting average on his way to hitting 17 home runs and driving in 68 runs this season.
LSU’s Chris Stanfield was the inaugural winner of the Tony Gwynn Trophy. The award is given to student-athletes who are “active in their community and represent their programs with integrity while excelling in the classroom and on the field.”
Stanfield founded the “Be The 1” Campaign during his college career with Auburn and LSU. Every game that the junior outfielder has an extra-base hit, he donates $100 to the Miracle League, which helps children with mental and physical disabilities experience playing baseball.
During his time at Auburn, Stanfield helped raise $10,000 for the Miracle League of East Alabama.
