Aiken and Lyon Named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List
2/10/2026 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
DALLAS – College of Charleston relievers Davis Aiken and Alex Lyon were two of the 104 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, the association announced Wednesday.
An NCBWA Preseason All-American and Preseason All-CAA selection, Lyon posted a 10-1 record with a 3.47 ERA across 59.2 innings last season. Making 31 appearances, Lyon's 10 victories were the second-most in the country by a pitcher who worked exclusively out of the bullpen. 18 of his outings saw him record at least six outs, including a career-best 5.0 frames out shutout ball April 27 vs UNCW. The submariner enters 2026 third in school history with 78 career relief outings.
A CAA Preseason Honorable Mention, Aiken finished the 2025 campaign with a conference-best 14 saves in 29 relief outings that was also good for fourth nationally. Striking out 32 batters in 32 innings, Aiken enters 2026 third all-time in program history with 25 career saves. The Simpsonville, S.C., native is the only Division I pitcher to record 10-plus saves in both 2024 and 2025. This is the second consecutive season Aiken was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List.
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-America team, Division I, II and III Players of the Week and Division I, II and III Players of the Year.
The Cougars are set to open the 2026 season with a four-game series versus Rutgers, beginning Feb. 13 at Patriots Point. First pitch on Opening Day is scheduled for 4 p.m.
For complete coverage of Charleston baseball, follow us on X (@CofCBaseball) and Instagram (@CofC_Baseball).
An NCBWA Preseason All-American and Preseason All-CAA selection, Lyon posted a 10-1 record with a 3.47 ERA across 59.2 innings last season. Making 31 appearances, Lyon's 10 victories were the second-most in the country by a pitcher who worked exclusively out of the bullpen. 18 of his outings saw him record at least six outs, including a career-best 5.0 frames out shutout ball April 27 vs UNCW. The submariner enters 2026 third in school history with 78 career relief outings.
A CAA Preseason Honorable Mention, Aiken finished the 2025 campaign with a conference-best 14 saves in 29 relief outings that was also good for fourth nationally. Striking out 32 batters in 32 innings, Aiken enters 2026 third all-time in program history with 25 career saves. The Simpsonville, S.C., native is the only Division I pitcher to record 10-plus saves in both 2024 and 2025. This is the second consecutive season Aiken was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List.
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-America team, Division I, II and III Players of the Week and Division I, II and III Players of the Year.
The Cougars are set to open the 2026 season with a four-game series versus Rutgers, beginning Feb. 13 at Patriots Point. First pitch on Opening Day is scheduled for 4 p.m.
For complete coverage of Charleston baseball, follow us on X (@CofCBaseball) and Instagram (@CofC_Baseball).
Players Mentioned
RHP
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