Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina junior right-handed reliever Brandon Langley was named to the Midseason Watch List for the 20th annual Stopper of the Year Award, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and announced by the organization this week. Langely boasts a 1.42 collective ERA over 17 appearances and 25.1 innings of work and earned his Southern Conference-leading seventh save on Wednesday night at UNC Asheville.
 
Langley was among 56 of the nation's top relief pitchers to grace the midseason list – and one of two representing the Southern Conference to be recognized, joined by Mercer right-hander Terry Busse.
 
A transfer from USC Lancaster ahead of the 2024-25 academic year, Langley has seized control of the closer role for the Catamount pitching staff this season. He has a 1-0 overall record through a team-high tying 17 appearances with a league-leading seven saves, matching what Jonathan Todd did a season ago as the duo ranks tied for 11th in WCU's single-season record books.
 
Entering the weekend, he is tied for the team-high with 17 appearances, each coming in relief, with a team-best 1.42 collective ERA among qualifying pitchers as he's limited opponents to five runs with four earned on the season. A product of New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island, Canada, Langley ranks fourth on the Catamount squad with 33 total strikeouts over 25.1 total relief innings. Langley has limited opponents to just 15 total base hits, including 12 singles and three doubles, all on an opposing batting average of .172.
 
The transfer hurler earned his first decision for the Purple & Gold with a victory over Big Ten foe Michigan State in the neutral field meeting at Fluor Field, striking out a season-high six over 2.1 innings of hitless, scoreless relief in the winning effort. He maneuvered around three walks and a hit to earn his first save at WCU against Sun Belt Conference opponent Georgia State, fanning four over 2.2 innings in the 16-12 victory. Langley also has saves in wins over Eastern Illinois, Presbyterian, Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb, and at both Presbyterian and UNC Asheville most recently in Wednesday's road victory.
 
Before coming to Cullowhee, Langley spent two seasons at USC Lancaster, where he made 26 total appearances, including 25 in relief, finishing with a 3-4 two-year record. He struck out 63, including 43 in 2022-23, against 19 total walks over 42.2 innings, limiting opponents to a .266 batting average against. As a sophomore, he made four plate appearances, batting .500 with a pair of hits, including an RBI double, while also drawing a pair of walks against a strikeout.
 
All told there are 21 conferences represented on the list, with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) leading the way with nine selections. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) follows with eight, while the Big 12 Conference has five. Other multiple-selection leagues include: the American Athletic Conference (3), the Atlantic Sun Conference (3), the Big East (2), the Big Ten Conference (3), the Big West Conference (2), Conference USA (3), the Mid-American Conference (3), the Ohio Valley Conference (2), the Southern Conference (2), the Summit Conference (2) and the Western Athletic Conference (2). 
 
The NCBWA will announce the finalists on Wednesday, June 4, with the winner being named on Friday, June 13 at the 2025 College World Series.
 
Western Carolina baseball (20-20, 4-8 SoCon) remains on the road as it returns to Southern Conference play this weekend, traveling to Birmingham, Ala., for a three-game series against the Samford Bulldogs (22-18, 8-4 SoCon). Friday's series opener is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT at Joe Lee Griffin Field and continues Saturday at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT. The series concludes Sunday with a 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT first pitch.
 
Each game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live stats linked online at CatamountSports.com.
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount baseball and WCU Athletics through social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/CatamountSports), Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountBSB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountbsb).