Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
Senior Nathan Leininger is 7-1 with a 2.20 ERA and a .195 opponent average in 10 starts this season.
Photo by: Daniel Miller/University of Toledo
Nathan Leininger Recognized as National Pitcher of the Year Semifinalist
4/22/2026 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
Leininger named on list of 43 top pitchers in Division I
TOLEDO, Ohio – Senior right-handed pitcher Nathan Leininger has been recognized as a semifinalist for National Pitcher of the Year by the College Baseball Foundation on Wednesday.
Â
With his selection, Leininger becomes one of 43 semifinalists for the award from NCAA Division I. He is just one of two from the Mid-American Conference (Max Vaisvila, Northern Illinois).
Â
Leininger moved into the starting rotation this season and has built a stellar 7-1 record on the mound with a 2.20 earned run average, a 1.09 WHIP, a .195 opponent batting average and 58 strikeouts with just 24 walks in 61.1 innings pitched. He won seven consecutive starts between Feb. 28 and April 10. He earned top marks in a March 20 win against Central Michigan, pitching a career-high 8.0 innings, allowing just one unearned run and striking out a career-best 10 batters with no walks. Leininger was subsequently named the MAC Pitcher of the Week, the first such honor of his career.
Â
Leininger has pitched at least five innings in each of his 10 starts and thrown at least six innings eight times. He has allowed two or fewer runs in eight starts and struck out at least six batters five times.
Â
The Powell, Ohio native is at or near the top of a bevy of MAC pitching ranks, including first in wins (7), second in ERA (2.20) and innings pitched (61.1) and third in strikeouts (58) and opponent average (.195). Nationally, Leininger is tied for ninth in wins (7), 32nd in ERA (2.20) and 44th in hits allowed per game (6.31).
Â
The National Pitcher of the Year Award has been awarded by the College Baseball Foundation since 2009. Previous winners include current and former Major League Baseball pitchers Stephen Strasburg, Aaron Nola and Paul Skenes. Finalists and the winner will be announced later in the spring.
Â
Â
With his selection, Leininger becomes one of 43 semifinalists for the award from NCAA Division I. He is just one of two from the Mid-American Conference (Max Vaisvila, Northern Illinois).
Â
Leininger moved into the starting rotation this season and has built a stellar 7-1 record on the mound with a 2.20 earned run average, a 1.09 WHIP, a .195 opponent batting average and 58 strikeouts with just 24 walks in 61.1 innings pitched. He won seven consecutive starts between Feb. 28 and April 10. He earned top marks in a March 20 win against Central Michigan, pitching a career-high 8.0 innings, allowing just one unearned run and striking out a career-best 10 batters with no walks. Leininger was subsequently named the MAC Pitcher of the Week, the first such honor of his career.
Â
Leininger has pitched at least five innings in each of his 10 starts and thrown at least six innings eight times. He has allowed two or fewer runs in eight starts and struck out at least six batters five times.
Â
The Powell, Ohio native is at or near the top of a bevy of MAC pitching ranks, including first in wins (7), second in ERA (2.20) and innings pitched (61.1) and third in strikeouts (58) and opponent average (.195). Nationally, Leininger is tied for ninth in wins (7), 32nd in ERA (2.20) and 44th in hits allowed per game (6.31).
Â
The National Pitcher of the Year Award has been awarded by the College Baseball Foundation since 2009. Previous winners include current and former Major League Baseball pitchers Stephen Strasburg, Aaron Nola and Paul Skenes. Finalists and the winner will be announced later in the spring.
Â
Toledo Baseball - Senior Day 2025
Tuesday, May 20
Toledo Baseball vs BGSU - Battle of I-75 @ Fifth Third Field
Wednesday, April 30
Toledo Baseball at Fifth Third Field
Tuesday, April 01
Toledo Baseball vs. Michigan at 53rd Field on April 16
Monday, April 08
