Share Tweet Share Email

NIU baseball pitcher Kyle Glancy hurls way onto midseason NCBWA Stopper of the Year list

April 27, 2011
Kyle Glancy

Kyle Glancy

Northern Illinois junior closer Kyle Glancy was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) midseason Stopper of the Year watch list, the organization has announced.

Joining the likes of former Huskie standout stopper Matt German (2004-07), Glancy becomes the first NIU closer to be mentioned on an NCBWA Stopper of the Year list since the program’s all-time saves leader was a finalist for the award in 2007.

“This recognition by the NCBWA is very good for Kyle and the Northern Illinois baseball program,” said NIU head coach Ed Mathey. “To be on a list like this Kyle had to do something. He has been a big part of our season’s successes to date. 

“We’ve had a couple other players recognized by the NCBWA, and actually had one player, German, finish in the top-five on this list, which is huge recognition for Northern Illinois baseball. Kyle is following in some good footsteps, and I think the NCBWA recognizes that Northern Illinois University has a pretty good track record with people in the back of its bullpen.”

In his first season at the back of the Huskie bullpen, Glancy has excelled and is one of the most improved players in the Mid-American Conference. The former setup man and part-time starter picked up his first career save against Illinois on March 18, and has not looked back. Glancy converted each of his first eight save attempts before coming up short on Sunday in a win over Toledo.

Prior to the season, the Oak Park, Ill., native had a career 8.21 ERA in 72.1 innings. Through 22 innings in 2011, Glancy has a team-leading 2.05 ERA over 17 appearances, 11 of which have been scoreless. He’s holding opponents to a .241 batting average and has chalked up 17 strikeouts. Even better, Glancy has been the toughest Huskie to hit against with runners on base, allowing a .185 average.

Glancy’s eight saves rank third in the Mid-American Conference and his 17 appearances rank seventh. As of April 17, the Oak Park-River Forest High School product ranked 20th in the nation in saves.

One of three MAC representatives on the 45-person list, Glancy shares the spotlight in the league with Kent State’s Kyle McMillen and Toledo’s Matt Zahel.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, June 1, prior to start of NCAA regional tournament competition. The NCBWA’s All-America Committee then will select the winner, with this year’s recipient to be announced on the opening day of the College World Series on June 18.

The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Dick Howser Trophy to the nation’s top player. It also selects All-America Teams for all Divisions, a Division I Freshman All-American team, Division I and III Players of the Week, Division I District Players of the Year and Division III Players of the Year.

For more information on NIU baseball and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.