GREENVILLE, N.C. – For the second-consecutive year, senior Hunter McGarry (Bradenton, Fla.) has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's Stopper of the Year Award Watch List, as announced by the organization on Monday afternoon.

A returning Second Team All-ASUN pick from last season, McGarry enters his final campaign as an Eagle already ranked in multiple categories in the Green and Blue record book. Both his career saves (nine) and opponent batting average (.215) rank fifth in program history, and the 24 games he finished last year stand as a single-season record.  

During last year's doubleheader against Jacksonville, he became the second-ever pitcher to pick up two saves in one day, joining former FGCU closer Sterling Koerner who did so during a doubleheader against Lipscomb in 2017. McGarry's nine saves from last season sit at second in the single-season record book, behind Koerner's 12-save season from 2017.

"Hunter is very deserving of this preseason recognition," head coach Dave Tollett said. "He's one of the best closers we've ever had here at FGCU. Last season, we didn't know quite what to expect and he came out and was one of the top closers in the conference. We were really able to rely on him in tight situations, which was huge for us. He's been working extremely hard in the offseason and we are excited to see what he does this year."

The stopper is one of 70 players featured on the initial Watch List for the 16th annual distribution of the award, which is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball. This year's athletes hail from 22 different conferences. In addition to the ASUN being represented by FGCU, both Stetson's Danny Garcia and UNF's Eddie Miller received preseason nods.

The 2020 FGCU baseball season begins this Friday, Feb. 14 with the first of a three-game series at Tulane. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at the Turchin Stadium in New Orleans. The Green Wave, which finished last season with a 22-14 advantage at its home stadium, closed out the year with a No. 97 ranking in the RPI. All three games will be streamed here and Friday's game will be carried on Fox Sports Radio by David Moulton, the voice of the Eagles. For the full 2020 Eagle baseball slate, head here.

The NCBWA was founded in 1962 and is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Broadcasters, writers and publicists are all represented in the association's membership. Each year, the organization gives out awards such as the Dick Howser Trophy (Player of the Year), Regional Players of the Year and honors NCBWA All-Americans. To see the preseason watch list, click here. 

All-Time Stopper of the Year Award Winners
2005 – Brent Cox (Texas)
2006 – Don Czyz (Kansas)
2007 – Luke Prihoda (Sam Houston State)
2008 – Joshua Fields (Georgia)
2009 – Addison Reed (San Diego State)
2010 – Chance Ruffin (Texas)
2011 – Corey Knebel (Texas)
2012 – Stefan Lopez (Southeastern Louisiana)
2013 – David Berg (UCLA)
2014 – Nick Burdi (Louisville)
2015 – David Berg (UCLA)
2016 – Bryan Garcia (Miami, Fla.)
2017 – Lincoln Henzman (Louisville)
2018 – Michael Byrne (Florida)
2019 – Holden Powell (UCLA)

COACH TOLLETT
FGCU coach Dave Tollett currently owns a 599-358-3 overall record (.625) and a 199-109 (.646) record in the ASUN. He is the only head coach in the program's history and led the program to its first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. He is a five-time ASUN Coach of the Year and has guided the Green and Blue to five ASUN Regular Season Championships and one ASUN Tournament Championship. His team has been ranked nationally on several occasions, including as high as No. 9 in the country in 2017, and has coached 54 all-conference selections, 32 draft picks, three current major leaguers, 13 current minor leaguers, four ASUN Pitchers of the Year, four All-Americans, three ASUN Players of the Year, one National Freshman Player of the Year, one National Player of the Year and one seven-time MLB All-Star.

E.A.G.L.E. CAMPAIGN
IT TAKES A TEAM to achieve our newest goal - a $10 million campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, nutrition, and strength and conditioning as well as departmental needs in facility expansion and improvement as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff. The name embodies our mission and the purpose of the E.A.G.L.E. Campaign - Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence. Join Our Team and pledge your gift today to help the Eagles of tomorrow!
 
WE'VE GOT YOUR SEAT!
Single game tickets, group packages, and Spring Frequent Flyer Passes are on sale now. Single game tickets are good for all games occurring on a single day and are $7 for adults, $5 for youth (ages 3-15), and $5 for current or former US military service members.
 
Groups of 15 or more can enjoy a day at the ballpark with reserved block seating, group activities, and the choice of free FGCU gear or concessions. Packages start at just $7 per person. Call the ticket office at 239-590-7145 for more information or to book your group.
 
The Spring Frequent Flyer Pass allows multiple entries into Softball and Baseball during the 2020 regular season. Passes are available for 15, 30, and 60 entries for any regular season home game. They can be used in any combination until the pass is exhausted. Passes cost $60 for 15 entries, $105 for 30 entries, and $180 for 60 enties.
 
Single game tickets and Frequent Flyer Passes can be purchased in advance online at FGCUTickets.com or over the phone at 239-590-7145.

#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
 
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 80 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 13 seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just nine seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 36 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as two of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty consecutive semesters.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 – being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
 
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