Alex Via, a pitcher for the Portland Pilots, was named to the 2026 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Midseason List, according to an April 22 announcement. He is the second Pilot in three seasons to receive this recognition, following Tanner Douglass who made the list in 2024.
The Stopper of the Year midseason list recognizes top relievers and closers in college baseball. Finalists for this award will be announced on June 3, with the winner revealed on June 12 during the College World Series.
Via has served as Portland’s main closer this season and is one of only five freshmen nationwide included on the midseason list. He has appeared in relief a team-high 17 times, recording a 3.04 earned run average and eight saves. His save total leads both all freshmen nationally and players within his conference, ranking him thirteenth across all Division I programs. These eight saves also set new records for both true freshmen at Portland and any Pilot over a two-year span.
The Pilots currently hold an overall record of 22-16 with an 8-7 mark in West Coast Conference play. Their next series will be against Santa Clara Broncos starting Friday, April 24.
