Baseball's Gunther Named to Stopper of the Year Watch List

DALLAS – University of South Carolina junior right-handed pitcher Josh Gunther has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Watch List, it was announced today (Tuesday, Feb. 10). The Stopper of the Year Award is given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.

Gunther comes to Columbia from Wake Forest, where he pitched for the Demon Deacons for two seasons. The Fairhope, Ala., native had six saves last season to go along with a 3.41 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched. Gunther held opponents to a .194 batting average and allowed just one extra-base hit in 2025. He made 28 appearances in 2024, recording 38 strikeouts in 31.1 innings pitched.

The Stopper of the Year Watch List features 104 relief pitchers in Division I baseball.

Gunther and the Gamecocks open the 2026 season on Friday, Feb. 13 when Carolina hosts Northern Kentucky in a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be streamed on SEC Network Plus.