IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa redshirt junior Zach Voelker and junior Sam Hart have been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List, it was announced Wednesday by the NCBWA. The award is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.

The Hawkeye duo are two of 73 players in the country named to the Watch List, including two of six pitchers from the Big Ten.

Voelker made 15 appearances with two starts last year. The Granite Bay, California, native went 4-1 with a 6.18 ERA. He recorded 32 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings. Voelker recorded one save, in a four-inning appearance against Quinnipiac.

Hart, an Indian Hills Community College transfer, tallied 13 saves (second most in the NJCAA) though 22.2 innings pitched with a 1.19 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP in 2023. The Highlands Ranch, Colorado, native was a first-team all-region selection.

Iowa’s season opener is Friday, February 16, against Seton Hall in Charleston, South Carolina.