Radford University redshirt senior pitcher Abram Williams (Amsterdam 2010-2011) has been named to the 2012 National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA) Preseason Stopper of the Year Watch List. The award is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. The initial Watch List includes 45 players from schools across the country. It can be viewed here.

Abram Williams finished his summer collegiate baseball career as one of the top relief pitchers in the history of the Amsterdam Mohawks. Through two summers (2010-2011), Williams set a franchise career record with 21 saves. He earned two first team all-league selections, pitched in two All-Star Games and was the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the league championship series in 2010 when the Mohawks won their third summer collegiate baseball crown. The Radford, Va., native was Amsterdam’s 2010 Defensive Player of the Year.

Last summer, Williams finished second in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League with 10 saves. He made 21 appearances and went 1-2 with a 2.42 earned run average. The Radford product struck out 29 batters in 22.1 innings and held opponents to a .217 batting average. In the playoffs, Williams earned a victory and two saves in four appearances. Through two summers with Amsterdam, the right-handed reliever amassed five postseason saves and he pitched in two playoff championship rounds.

The Virginian turned in a record-setting performance at Radford last season. He set single-season school and Big South conference records with 17 saves in 19 chances. His 17 saves ranked seventh among in NCAA Division I. Williams was named All-Big South first team and he was among 46 pitchers nationally on the 2011 Stopper of the Year Award Mid-Season Watch List. Heading into his final collegiate season, the 23-year-old is Radford’s career saves leader (19).

Nominations for the Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information/media relations contacts. A mid-season list will be announced during the week of April 16. The finalists will be released on June 6, prior to the start of the NCAA tournament. The 2012 Stopper of the Year Award will be handed out during the College World Series.