The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Baseball’s Riojas tabbed to NCBWA Stopper of the Year watch list
02.12.2025 | Baseball
UTSA transfer led Roadrunners with seven saves in 2024
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Longhorns junior standout Ruger Riojas was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award watch list, the organization announced Wednesday.
The watch list features 76 of the sport's top relief pitchers. Relievers who are not on the preseason watch list still have an opportunity to be tabbed a finalist for the ward.
To view the complete list, click HERE.
Riojas, who earned preseason All-America recognition from the NCBWA, posted a 15-3 mark with a 3.59 ERA in two seasons at UTSA.
As a sophomore in 2024, the 6-foot, 192-pound right-hander paced the Roadrunners in wins (10), ERA (3.25), saves (7) and strikeouts (75) across a team-high 26 appearances.
D1Baseball slotted Riojas as the ninth best relief pitcher nationally in its annual preseason player rankings.
Texas has claimed the prestigious honor more than any other program in the country.
Righty hurler J. Brent Cox won the inaugural Stopper of the Year Award in 2005, before Chance Ruffin and Corey Knebel took home the hardware in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
The Longhorns open the Jim Schlossnagle Era on Feb. 14 against Louisville in the Shriners Children's College Showdown. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Globe Life Field.
