CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association honored senior closer Tyler Smith on Thursday, as he was named to the Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch List. This is the third year in a row that a Canisius closer has been named to the list.
Smith is having a great year in his second season as the Griffs’ full-time closer. The Trafford, Pa., native leads the team in ERA with a sparkling 0.89 mark, to go along with 29 strikeouts and seven saves in 20.1 innings pitched this season.
Nationally, Smith ranks 40th in the nation in saves, and leads the MAAC in the same category.
Smith has taken his place in a lineage of strong closers, taking over for the 2016 MAAC Reliever of the Year in Iannick Remillard. Remillard was an All-American in 2016, and was also on the Stopper of the Year watch list that season after recording a new career and program best, 17 saves.
For his career, Smith’s current ranks in school history are (as of April 26):
– First in strikeouts per nine innings with 12.37 (Min. 60 IP)
– Second in lowest opponent batting average with .190 (Min. 60 IP)
– Second in most appearances with 80
– Third in saves with 19
– Third in lowest ERA with 2.68 (Min. 60 IP)
– Eighth in strikeouts with 180
Smith was a part of a crowded field that boasted 41 pitchers from over 21 conferences. He was the only member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to be included on the list.
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