COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland pitchers
Logan Hastings and
Lance Williams have been named to the National Pitcher of the Year watch list, presented by the College Baseball Foundation.
The watch list features pitchers from 26 different conferences and highlights the top mound performers across the country during the 2026 season. The National Pitcher of the Year Award was first presented in 2009. Previous winners include Stephen Strasburg (San Diego State, 2009), Trevor Bauer (UCLA, 2011), Aaron Nola (LSU, 2014) and Paul Skenes (LSU, 2023).
Hastings has been dominant on the mound to open the 2026 campaign. The Maryland native tossed 10.1 hitless innings to begin the season and currently owns a team-best 0.96 ERA, along with a 1-0 record, two saves, and 18.2 innings pitched across four appearances. Opponents are hitting just .156 against him while he has posted a 0.70 WHIP.
In Maryland's win at Troy on March 7, Hastings became the first Terp to record eight or more strikeouts in a relief appearance since Nate Haberthier on March 12, 2023 vs. Maine. Hastings struck out eight batters in 3.0 innings, earning the save. His 0.96 ERA ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 26th nationally.
Williams, Maryland's Friday night ace, has also opened the season strong. In his most recent start at Troy on March 6, Williams delivered a quality start, throwing 6.0 innings while allowing three earned runs and striking out 10 batters. The performance marked the first time a Terp reached double-digit strikeouts in a game since Jason Savacool on March 24, 2023.
Williams began the season with 5.0 innings and six strikeouts (a then career-high) while allowing just one run at UNC Wilmington on Feb. 13. In his second start at Louisiana on Feb. 20, he recorded 4.2 innings, one earned run, five strikeouts, and one walk on 57 pitches. Williams currently ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 26 strikeouts.
