SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose State right-handed pitcher Fineas Del Bonta-Smith is one of the top 45 relief pitchers that have been named to the Midseason Update of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, members of the association announced on Wednesday.
The award, now in its 15th season, is awarded annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. Bonta-Smith is one of three Mountain West pitchers on the list joining Jackson Cofer (UNLV) and Jamie Arias (Fresno State).
Del Bonta-Smith, a senior from Soquel, California, has had an outstanding final season with the Spartans, registering eight saves, already the third-most in a single season in school history, and touting a 2-1 record on the bump with a 3.32 ERA.
Seven of Del Bonta-Smith's eight saves have come in conference play, which is the most among all Mountain West relievers. He was named Mountain West Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 18 after an outstanding weekend in the series sweep over UNLV. He appeared in all three games, winning game one to improve to 2-1 on the season and then picked up back-to-back saves in games two and three.
Del Bonta-Smith needs just two more saves to tie Zack Jones for both the single season (10) and career (15) school records.
The Spartans travel to Thibodaux, Louisiana for a three-game weekend series against nonconference opponent Nicholls State Friday through Sunday before returning to Excite Ballpark for a Monday afternoon contest with Oregon.
