Blair and Zayac Named to National Pitcher of the Year Watch List
3/11/2026 2:07:00 PM | Baseball
2026 Pitcher of the Year Watch List
LYNCHBURG, VA. – Liberty right-handers Ben Blair and Bradley Zayac are two of college baseball's top 142 pitchers listed on the 2026 National Pitcher of the Year Award Watch List. The list was released by the College Baseball Foundation this afternoon.
For the second consecutive year, Blair appears on the list. Selected as the 2026 CUSA Preseason Pitcher of the Year, Blair has performed to that billing, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.01 ERA over 22 1/3 innings. In four starts, he has struck out 34 and walked three, while holding opponents to a .128 batting average. The Gretna, Va., native also has a stellar 11.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Blair enters the weekend among the national leaders in several categories. The junior is fifth nationally with a 0.58 WHIP. He is also among the national leaders in strikeouts (12th), victories (22nd) and strikeout to walk ratio (24th).
The Gretna, Va., native, who has already been named the CUSA Pitcher of the Week twice this season (Feb. 16 & March 2), leads the conference in wins and opponent batting average. Blair is second in the conference in innings pitched and strikeouts. The right-hander is also among the leaders in ERA (7th), hits allowed (2nd) and runs allowed (4th).
Zayac, a transfer, has had an excellent start to his tenure in a Liberty uniform. The sophomore enters the weekend with a 2-0 record and a 1.31 ERA over 20 2/3 innings. In four games, three starts, the right-hander has struck out 21 and walked five. He has held opponents to a .222 batting average and also sports an excellent 4.22 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Currently, Zayac is fourth in CUSA in ERA. The Chesapeake, Va., native is also among the conference leaders in wins (9th), innings pitched (5th), strikeouts (7th), opponent batting average (8th) and runs allowed (5th).
Blair, Zayac and the rest of the Flames begin conference play this weekend. Liberty will welcome CUSA newcomer Missouri State to Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium. The series gets underway on Friday. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ BaseballCoach LeCroy Gives An Update On The LU Baseball Season
Monday, March 09
Liberty Baseball Facility: Developing Champions
Thursday, February 26
vs. The Citadel
Sunday, February 15
Tanner Marsh Talks About The Start Of Baseball Season
Thursday, February 05