Harrington Named NCBWA Stopper of the Year Finalist
6/4/2026 1:20:00 PM | Baseball
LYNCHBURG, VA. – Liberty right-hander Cooper Harrington is one of 14 finalists for the 2026 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award, the organization announced earlier this morning. The award is presented to the nation's top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I.
Harrington, a sophomore from Sanford, N.C., becomes the first Liberty pitcher to be a finalist for the award. The CUSA All-Conference second team member finished 2026 with a 2-2 record with a 3.61 ERA and 14 saves over 52 1/3 innings in 26 appearances, three of which were starts. The right-hander struck out 60 and walked 13. He averaged 10.36 strikeouts per nine innings.
As a reliever, Harrington posted a 1-1 record with a 3.68 ERA and 14 saves over 23 appearances. In 36 2/3 innings, he struck out 45 and walked 12. The right-hander converted 14 of 15 save opportunities after taking over the Flames' closer role in a 9-3 win over Missouri State on March 15.
Harrington finished the year tied for third in the nation in saves. In addition, he was the CUSA leader. His 14 saves are the second most by a Liberty pitcher in a single season. Only Josh Brey, who had 16 in 2000, has more.
Harrington and the Flames recorded a 43-21 overall record this season. Liberty's win total tied the program record with the 2010 and 2019 Flames. Liberty participated in an NCAA Regional for the ninth time in program history, receiving its fourth at-large selection to the 64-team field this season.
In addition, the Flames went 21-9 in Conference USA play, finishing second in the league standings. For the first time in its three years in the conference, Liberty advanced to the CUSA Championship game.
Harrington, a sophomore from Sanford, N.C., becomes the first Liberty pitcher to be a finalist for the award. The CUSA All-Conference second team member finished 2026 with a 2-2 record with a 3.61 ERA and 14 saves over 52 1/3 innings in 26 appearances, three of which were starts. The right-hander struck out 60 and walked 13. He averaged 10.36 strikeouts per nine innings.
As a reliever, Harrington posted a 1-1 record with a 3.68 ERA and 14 saves over 23 appearances. In 36 2/3 innings, he struck out 45 and walked 12. The right-hander converted 14 of 15 save opportunities after taking over the Flames' closer role in a 9-3 win over Missouri State on March 15.
Harrington finished the year tied for third in the nation in saves. In addition, he was the CUSA leader. His 14 saves are the second most by a Liberty pitcher in a single season. Only Josh Brey, who had 16 in 2000, has more.
Harrington and the Flames recorded a 43-21 overall record this season. Liberty's win total tied the program record with the 2010 and 2019 Flames. Liberty participated in an NCAA Regional for the ninth time in program history, receiving its fourth at-large selection to the 64-team field this season.
In addition, the Flames went 21-9 in Conference USA play, finishing second in the league standings. For the first time in its three years in the conference, Liberty advanced to the CUSA Championship game.
Players Mentioned
RHP
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