Brandon Neely named NCBWA national pitcher of the week
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators closer Brandon Neely was named the Dick Howser Trophy National Pitcher of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) on Wednesday. This is the first time that Neely has earned the national honor. he NCBWA Board reviews candidates from each Division I conference and names winners each week throughout the season.
Neely made three appearances out of the bullpen last week. He totaled 6.0 shutout innings of relief last week while appearing in three of the Gators’ four games. Neely totaled 10 strikeouts against just two hits and two walks over his three outings.
After tossing one scoreless frame against undefeated Florida State on Tuesday, Neely returned to the mound for a three-inning save in the game-one win over No. 4 Texas A&M on Friday night. The righty fired two more shutout innings against the Aggies to earn the victory on Sunday in the decisive game three.
Neely’s work tied him for the SEC weekly lead in strikeouts (10) and ERA (0.00). He concluded the week with a.105 batting average against.
The Gators travel to Baton Rouge, La. for a three-game series against No. 5 LSU this weekend. Friday’s series premiere airs on SEC Network at 8 p.m. ET.
Brandon Neely earns SEC Pitcher of the Week honors
Neely was also named the pitcher of the week by the Southeastern Conference on Monday afternoon. For Neely, the accolade represents his second-career SEC weekly honor as he was named SEC Freshman of the Week on May 23, 2022. Neely is the third Gator to garner weekly recognition from the SEC this season, following Liam Peterson (Co-Freshman of the Week, Feb. 26) and Jac Caglianone (Co-Pitcher of the Week, March 4).
Neely pitched in three of Florida’s four games last week, going 1-0 with one save and 10 strikeouts over 6.0 shutout innings of relief. The Florida closer twirled 3.0 scoreless frames to earn the save in game one vs. Texas A&M, then returned to the hill for 2.0 shutout innings on Sunday to pick up the decisive, game-three victory.
Neely was tied for the SEC weekly lead in strikeouts (10) and ERA (0.00). He allowed just two hits and two walks in his six innings on the bump.
FLORIDA’S 2024 SEC WEEKLY HONORS
Liam Peterson – Co-Freshman of the Week (Feb. 26)
Jac Caglianone – Co-Pitcher of the Week (March 4)
Brandon Neely – Pitcher of the Week (March 18)
