Alabama closer Carson Ozmer was named to the Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List by the NCBWA- National Baseball Writers Association. Ozmer, has thrived with the Tide this season. The Lantana, Texas native transferred after last season as a graduate transfer from the University of Pennsylvania.
The award that Ozmer is up for is given annually to the top relief pitcher in Division One college baseball. Ozmer has appeared in a team leading 21 games and is second in the nation with 13 saves and has also collected three wins against no losses. In 27 innings pitched Ozmer has 35 strikeouts, an average of 11.7 per nine innings. Opponents have only managed 14 hits in 92 at bats against the sidewinder, for a .152 batting average against. Ozmer’s ERA is 1.33, having allowed only four earned runs over his 27 innings pitched.
Ozmer is on pace to shatter the Alabama single season save record of 14 set by All-American Ben Short in the 1991 season. Only being in Tuscaloosa for one year, Ozmer will not be able to reach the career record of 30 saves held by Thomas Burrows, who pitched for the Tide from 2014-2016. However if Ozmer can reach 16 saves he will be in the top 10 in school history, tied with Ray Castillo (2013-2016) and Short (1990-1991). To reach the top 10 in single season appearances Ozmer would need to be called on 11 more times, which would most likely be contingent on the Tide making a deep post season run.
Known as The Wizard, Ozmer has been a fantastic addition to the Bama team as he has had a hand in half of the teams 32 wins. Hopefully the 6’2” righty can tie and break the record this weekend while the Tide plays at home.
Roll Tide
Roll Oz
