DALLAS – A pair of Tennessee pitchers were named to the 2025 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List which was announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Juniors Nate Snead and Andrew Behnke both earned spots on the preseason watch list for the award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top relief pitcher.
Snead adds to an impressive list of preseason honors after earning All-America recognition from the NCBWA (first team), Baseball America (first team) and Perfect Game (second team). The hard-throwing right hander was also tabbed a first-team preseason All-SEC selection as a reliever.
An ABCA All-Southeast Region first team selection as a sophomore, Snead emerged as UT’s go-to arm out of the bullpen in 2024, ranking second on the team with 29 appearances while leading all non-starting pitchers with 75.1 innings pitched. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native posted a 10-2 record and a 3.11 ERA while also finishing tied for the team lead with six saves on the year. Snead appeared in five of the Vols’ six games in Omaha, helping lead the Big Orange to their first Men’s College World Series title before playing for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team over the summer.
Behnke emerged as one of UT’s more reliable relievers as a sophomore last season, finishing with a 3-1 record and 3.54 ERA over 23 appearances. The crafty lefty posted 39 strikeouts and issued only nine walks over 28.0 innings pitched while holding opposing hitters to a .213 batting average. Behnke is expected to take on an even larger role for the Vols this season as one of their most experienced returning pitchers.
The full NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award Watch List can be found by clicking HERE.
The reigning national champion Volunteers opens their 2025 campaign on Friday afternoon against Hofstra at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, kicking off an eight-game homestand to start the year.
2025 Tennessee Baseball Preseason Honors
LHP Andrew Behnke
NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
INF Dean Curley
Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
Preseason All-America First Team – Baseball America
Preseason All-America Second Team – Perfect Game
Preseason All-SEC First Team – SS
LHP Liam Doyle
Preseason All-America Third Team – Baseball America
Preseason All-SEC First Team – SP
OF Hunter Ensley
Preseason All-SEC Second Team – OF
INF Andrew Fischer
Preseason All-America Third Team – Baseball America
Preseason All-SEC Second Team – 3B
INF Gavin Kilen
Preseason All-America Second Team – Baseball America
Preseason All-SEC Second Team – 2B
RHP AJ Russell
Preseason All-America First Team – Baseball America
RHP Nate Snead
NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
Preseason All-America First Team – Baseball America, NCWA
Preseason All-America Second Team – Perfect Game
Preseason All-SEC First Team – RP
