TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona junior Mark Melancon has been named to the ‘Watch List’ for the 2006 Roger Clemens Award, which honors the top collegiate pitcher in the nation. The right-hander is one of 40 players named nationwide to the preseason list

            Melancon, who is tied for the all-time lead in career saves at Arizona with 14, enters the 2006 year as the Wildcats top closer out of the bullpen. His sophomore season of 2005 saw him lead Arizona with a school single season record 11 saves and a 2.58 ERA in a team-high 34 appearances. He finished the last year with a 4-3 record and 69 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings of work.

            “I’m happy for Mark,” head coach Andy Lopez said. “He’s been very unselfish and a great teammate, and it’s a nice honor that other people are recognizing his efforts. He’s done a great job for us in the two years that he’s been here and we’re expecting another outstanding season from him again in 2006.

            During the summer, Melancon was the top reliever for the USA Baseball national team. Going 1-0 with five saves in 10 appearances, he did not give up a single run during the summer and finished with 10 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings of work.

            Melancon and the 2006 Arizona baseball team will host the Jim Click Alumni Game this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Gates open for the event at 11 a.m.

2006 Roger Clemens Award Watch List

Adkins, James , Tennessee, LHP, So.

Alaniz, Adrian, Texas, RHP, So.

Bard, Daniel , North Carolina, RHP, Jr.

Bascom, Tim, Central Florida, RHP, Jr.

Best, Daniel, Southern Mississippi, RHP. Sr.

Brackman, Andrew, NC State, RHP, So.

Buck, Dallas, Oregon St., RHP, Jr.

Chamberlain, Joba , Nebraska, RHP, Jr.

Chambliss, Tyler, Florida St., RHP, Jr.

Degerman, Eddie, Rice, RHP, Sr.

Dirks, Clay, Louisiana St., LHP, Jr.

Doolittle, Sean, Virginia, LHP, So.

Dorn, Johnny, Nebraska, RHP, So.

Ely, John, Miami (Ohio), RHP, So.

Erickson, Blair, U.C. Irvine, RHP, Jr.

Gunderson, Kevin, Oregon St., LHP, Jr.

Hill, Nick, Army, LHP, Jr.

Hughes, Jared, Long Beach State, RHP, Jr.

Jensen, Brett, Nebraska, RHP Sr.

Kasparek, Kenn, Texas, RHP, So.

Kennedy, Ian, Southern California, RHP, Jr.

Koss, Paul, Southern California, RHP, Jr.

Lincecum, Tim, Washington, RHP, Jr.

Lincoln, Brad, Houston, RHP, Jr.

McCulloch, Kyle, Texas, RHP, Jr.

Melancon, Mark, Arizona, RHP, Jr.

Miller, Andrew, North Carolina, LHP, Jr.

Morrow, Brandon, California, RHP, Jr.

Nickerson, Jonah, Oregon St., RHP, Jr.

Pestano, Vinnie, Cal. St. Fullerton, RHP, Jr.

Price, David , Vanderbilt, LHP, So.

O'Day, Darren, Florida, RHP, Sr.

Reese, Scott , Creighton, LHP, So.

Savery, Joe, Rice, LHP, So.

Scherzer, Max, Missouri, RHP, Jr.

Storey, Mickey, Florida Atlantic, RHP, So.

Trubee, Luke, Dayton, RHP, Sr.

Weiser, Keith , Miami (Ohio), RHP, Jr.

Wieters, Matt, Georgia Tech, RHP, So.

Wood, Blake, Georgia Tech, RHP, Jr.