On Monday, Rutgers baseball Ben Gorski and Sam Portnoy were named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Watchlist as the top relievers in the country.
The Scarlet Knights are coming off a three-game sweep over Winthrop Eagles last weekend, where Gorski and Portnoy contributed to those victories.
Gorski made his 2024 season debut on Sunday, facing three batters in the bottom of the fifth inning to hold Rutgers’ 5-3 lead. The Chatman, New Jersey native recorded six pitches, logging one fly out to center field and a line out to right field, doubling off a baserunner at first base.
Last season, Gorski recorded his best season as a Scarlet Knight. He logged a 3.40 ERA with eight saves and 46 strikeouts in 39.2 innings pitched. In 2023, Gorski was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team and was the Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week (3/13/2023).
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Two of the best locking it down đź”’
Ben Gorski and Sam Portnoy have been named to the @NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watchlist, given annually to the top reliever in the country. #TCD pic.twitter.com/aT28GbD2CH
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) February 19, 2024
As for Portnoy, the Rutgers reliever made his 2024 debut on Sunday but did not have a strong start like Gorski. Portnoy logged 25 pitches, letting up two earned runs with two walks and a hit, facing seven batters.
In three seasons with the Scarlet Knights, the Voorhees, New Jersey native has logged a 3.72 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched. Portnoy has recorded a 6-1 record with one save, appearing in 42 games for the Scarlet Knights.
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