Razorbacks’ closer Ethan McElvain named finalist for top bullpen hand
Arkansas fans spent the year in frustration as the Razorbacks struggled often to have the lead in the later innings of games, whether that be mid-week against Stetson or on the weekend against Georgia.
However, according to the national media, if Dave Van Horn’s Hogs could ever reach that point, there was an option to have reliever Ethan McElvain come in and slam the door shut.
According to a press release issued by the Razorback Athletics communications department, McElvain has been named one of 14 finalists for the 21st annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award. Should he win, that would recognize him as the nation’s top relief pitcher.
The lefty set the standard in the Arkansas bullpen. He crafted a perfect record throughout the season, going 6-0 record with a 1.03 ERA and six saves in 35.0 innings in 19 relief appearances. McElvain, who was voted by the conference’s 16 coaches to the All-SEC team, was able to force his agenda when needed with 52 strikeouts. That allowed him to limit hitters to a .163 average while giving up four runs on 21 hits and 10 walks.
McElvain saved his best for last. With Arkansas thinking it needed to win the series Kentucky while tacking on a couple of wins in the SEC Tournament to secure a home regional, he struck out a season-high seven batters while throwing three scoreless innings to close the regular season before adding a season-long 4.1 innings of shutout ball with six strikeouts in an SEC Tournament upset of Auburn that led the Hogs to believe they had locked up a hosting opportunity. McElvain’s final appearance of the year came in a start against Kansas on May 31 in the NCAA Lawrence Regional, allowing four runs in 3.1 innings of work to finish the campaign with a 6-0 record, 1.88 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 38.1 innings on the mound.
The 2026 NCBWA Stopper of the Year will be announced during a news conference at the College World Series Friday, June 12 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb.
Kevin Kopps was the last Razorback to win the award back in 2021.
2026 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award finalists
John Abraham, Florida State
Caden Aoki, Georgia
Nick Bonn, Cal Poly
Tanner Bradley, Oregon
Sam Cozart, Texas
Clayton Freshcorn, Texas A&M
Caden Glauber, North Carolina
Cooper Harrington, Liberty
Easton Hawk, UCLA
Skyler Hutto, Jacksonville State
Ethan McElvain, Arkansas
Wylan Moss, UCLA
Albert Roblez, Oregon State
J’Shawn Unger, Nebraska
(Razorback Communications contributed to this story.)
