LAKE CHARLES – McNeese starting pitcher Grant Rogers and shortstop Josh Leslie have been added to the watch lists of two of the nation's top awards – the National Pitcher of the Year Award and the Brooks Wallace Award as the nation's top shortstop.
 
Rogers, a junior from Groves, Texas, was named a mid-season All-American by D1Baseball three weeks ago. This season he's tied for the nation's lead with eight wins on the season (8-0 record) and leads the Southland Conference in ERA (1.96), strikeouts to walks ration (8.86), total strikeouts (62), and complete games thrown (2). Nationally, he's 13^th in ERA, fifth in complete games and 10^th in strikeouts to walks.
 
A total of 61 pitchers made the list as the award will be presented later this year by the College Baseball Foundation.
 
"What a great honor for Grant," said head coach Justin Hill. "He came into this season with a chip on his shoulder. He made some adjustments during the off-season that have paid off. I'm extremely excited for him."
 
Rogers will get his next start on Friday night when the Cowboys host New Orleans as he's looking to become just the second player in school history to start the season with a 9-0 record (Jared Gothreaux, 2000).
 
Leslie leads the Cowboys in all three Triple Crown categories (.325 batting average, 43 RBIs, 5 home runs).
 
The senior from Kenosha, Wisconsin is one of the toughest in the nation to strikeout, ranking 21^st in the NCAA in that category (1 K per every 13.7 AB), having struck out just 11 times in 151 at-bats. His 16 doubles leads the Southland Conference and is ranked 10^th in the nation while his 43 RBIs tops the league.
 
In addition, Leslie has recorded a .953 fielding percentage and has been a part of 19 double plays turned, which the Cowboys lead the conference with 28 twin killings.
 
"This is a great honor for Josh," said Hill. "He puts in work every day. Josh is the ultimate teammate and a tremendous leader in our program. I know his teammates and coaches are excited for him.
 
A total of 101 of the most talented shortstops in Division I college baseball headline the initial 2023 Brooks Wallace Award watch list as the award honors the nation's top shortstop and will be presented later this year by the College Baseball Foundation. The award honors outstanding defensive play as much as it does production at the plate.

2023 National Pitcher of the Year Award Watch List
2023 Brooks Wallace Award Watch List