OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Fairfield University Baseball sophomore right-hander Ben Alekson was one of 54 pitchers in the country named to the National Pitcher of the Year Watch List by the College Baseball Foundation. Alekson is the only MAAC hurler and one just two in New England on the list. Alekson is near the top of the conference with a 2.59 ERA to go along with a 6-1 record.
 
"Ben does a great job pitching efficiently," Head Coach Bill Currier said. "He goes out and throws a lot of strikes with three pitches with movement. He's a very smart pitcher and is quick to the plate. He's an all-round ace of our staff just by the way he conducts his business. His emotional makeup is why we call him a shark."
 
Alekson is coming off seven shutout innings against Merrimack to pick up his sixth win of the season while also tying a career-high with eight strikeouts. Included in those punch outs was the 100th of his career.
 
For the season, Alekson ranks third in the MAAC in ERA, WHIP (1.08), and strikeouts (52). In his 59 innings pitched, hitters are batting just .210.
 
In his two-year career, Alekson has pitched to a 3.22 ERA while posting 12 wins and striking out 102 in 117.1 innings.
 
Alekson is one of just 54 pitchers nationally on the list and joins Yale's Jack Ohman as the only two pitchers in New England. The award will be presented later this year by the College Baseball Foundation.