University of Tennessee Athletics
UT Duo Named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
February 14, 2024 | Baseball
DALLAS – Tennessee pitchers Aaron Combs and Nate Snead were named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List on Wednesday afternoon, which is awarded annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
Combs enters his second season with the Vols after joining the program from the junior college ranks prior to the 2023 season. The veteran right hander emerged as one of UT's most reliable arms out of the bullpen a year ago when he posted a 4-0 record with a 3.00 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 26 relief appearances.
Snead is about to begin his first year on Rocky Top after spending his true freshman season at Wichita State, where he quickly became one of the Shockers top relief pitchers. The Wisconsin native finished the 2023 season tied for first on the team with 24 appearances and was second on the squad among non-starting pitchers with 42.2 innings pitched. Snead posted three saves to go along with a 3.16 ERA and 53 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a .230 batting average on the year.
The full NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award Watch List can be found by clicking HERE.
No. 5/9 Tennessee opens its 2024 campaign with a ranked showdown against No. 18/21 Texas Tech on Friday night at the Shriners Children's College Showdown in Arlington, Texas. The Vols will also take on Oklahoma on Saturday and wrap up the tournament with a matchup against Baylor on Sunday. All three games will be streamed on FloBaseball.com (subscription required).
Combs enters his second season with the Vols after joining the program from the junior college ranks prior to the 2023 season. The veteran right hander emerged as one of UT's most reliable arms out of the bullpen a year ago when he posted a 4-0 record with a 3.00 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 26 relief appearances.
Snead is about to begin his first year on Rocky Top after spending his true freshman season at Wichita State, where he quickly became one of the Shockers top relief pitchers. The Wisconsin native finished the 2023 season tied for first on the team with 24 appearances and was second on the squad among non-starting pitchers with 42.2 innings pitched. Snead posted three saves to go along with a 3.16 ERA and 53 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a .230 batting average on the year.
The full NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award Watch List can be found by clicking HERE.
No. 5/9 Tennessee opens its 2024 campaign with a ranked showdown against No. 18/21 Texas Tech on Friday night at the Shriners Children's College Showdown in Arlington, Texas. The Vols will also take on Oklahoma on Saturday and wrap up the tournament with a matchup against Baylor on Sunday. All three games will be streamed on FloBaseball.com (subscription required).
Players Mentioned
RHP
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RHP
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