OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Alabama closer Carson Ozmer was named a semifinalist for the National Pitcher of the Year, the College Baseball Foundation announced Thursday.

Ozmer is one of 16 semifinalists for the award, a distinction presented to the top pitcher in college baseball. Finalists for the National Pitcher of the Year Award will be announced on June 4, with the 2025 winner to be announced at a date to be finalized later that month. Ozmer would represent the first recipient of the National Pitcher of Year in program history, an honor that was created in 2009.

National Pitcher of the Year Semifinalist
Carson Ozmer

• The closer for the Crimson Tide, having appeared in a team-high 28 games
• Named a First Team All-Southeastern Conference reliever in his first season in Tuscaloosa
• Converted 17 saves, leading all Division I relievers
• His 17 saves are a program record, surpassing the previous best of 14 set in 1991
• Owns a 2.89 ERA (12 ER/37.1 IP) while holding opponents to a .191 batting average (25 H/131 AB)
• Managed 47 strikeouts, fourth-most among Alabama hurlers
• Has not allowed a run in 22 of his 28 outings, while striking out at least one batter in 26 of his 28 games

When Carson Ozmer transferred to the University of Alabama ahead of the 2025 college baseball season, he brought with him not only an impressive resume but also a quiet confidence and the drive to compete at the highest level. Now, after an incredible campaign with the Crimson Tide, Ozmer has been named a semifinalist for the National Pitcher of the Year Award — a prestigious honor recognizing the most dominant arms in college baseball.

For Alabama fans, this is not just a story about a great closer; it’s about resilience, adaptability, and the unique journey that took Ozmer from the Ivy League to the Southeastern Conference, where he has proven himself against the best competition in the country.

In his first season wearing the crimson and white, Ozmer has been nothing short of electric. The right-handed reliever leads all Division I closers with 17 saves, setting a new single-season program record and eclipsing the previous mark of 14 saves set in 1991. His 2.89 earned run average over 37.1 innings pitched — combined with a remarkable 47 strikeouts — showcases his ability to overpower hitters and shut the door in critical moments.

Opponents have hit just .191 against him, a testament to the bite and deception in his arsenal. Whether he’s spotting a fastball on the outside corner or buckling knees with his devastating slider, Ozmer has been a nightmare for opposing batters all season.

More than the numbers, though, Ozmer’s reliability has given Alabama the luxury of knowing that no game is out of reach if they can hand him the ball with a lead. In 28 appearances this season, he’s held opponents scoreless in 22 of them, frequently racking up strikeouts in the late innings to slam the door.

For any closer, the ability to perform under pressure is paramount, and Ozmer has done just that. In a memorable series against then-No. 6 Georgia on May 11, he was called upon in back-to-back games and delivered in spectacular fashion, striking out three batters over 2.2 innings and notching two crucial saves.

Ozmer was also lights out against Vanderbilt on May 3, pitching two scoreless innings while striking out three in a tense, must-win SEC battle. These performances, against some of the best teams in college baseball, solidify his status as one of the most reliable relievers in the nation.

Head coach Rob Vaughn has been effusive in his praise of Ozmer’s impact on the program. “Carson has been a huge part of what we’ve been able to do this season,” Vaughn said after one of those nail-biting victories. “He’s got a calm demeanor and an incredible work ethic. You can see the confidence he gives the team when he comes into the game.”

Ozmer’s baseball journey didn’t begin in the SEC; it started in the Ivy League at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a two-way standout. Over four seasons with the Quakers, he appeared in 51 games on the mound, striking out 92 hitters and notching 10 saves while maintaining a 2.98 ERA.

But it wasn’t just his pitching that turned heads — Ozmer also excelled at the plate. In 95 games as a hitter for Penn, he posted a .295 average, showing a rare combination of versatility and athleticism. That two-way experience has helped shape the competitor he is today. “Being a two-way player taught me a lot about the game,” Ozmer said earlier this season. “It taught me to think like a hitter and understand what I’d want to see in different counts. I think that’s helped me as a pitcher because I can anticipate what hitters are trying to do.”

His decision to transfer for his final season of eligibility was driven by a desire to challenge himself against the nation’s best. “I loved my time at Penn, but I wanted to see how I stacked up in the SEC,” Ozmer said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play at this level, and Alabama gave me that opportunity.”

Joining a new team in a new conference can be daunting, especially when it’s the SEC, widely regarded as the best college baseball league in the country. But Ozmer’s transition to Tuscaloosa was seamless. From the moment he arrived, he established himself as the Crimson Tide’s go-to closer, earning First Team All-SEC recognition for his remarkable efforts.

His teammates quickly recognized not just his talent but his leadership. “He’s just so steady,” said Alabama starter Luke Holman. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a Tuesday game or an SEC series, he treats every pitch the same. That’s what makes him great.”

For Ozmer, fitting in with a new team meant earning trust every day. “I think it’s about showing up and doing your job,” he said. “The guys here have been awesome, and I wanted to do whatever I could to help the team win. That’s what matters most.”

While Ozmer’s fastball-slider combination has been lethal, it’s his mental toughness that sets him apart. Closing games is as much about mindset as it is about stuff. The margin for error is razor-thin, and the pressure is immense.

Ozmer credits his ability to stay calm to years of experience and countless reps in the bullpen. “I’ve always been fascinated by the mental side of pitching,” he said. “In those late-inning situations, you have to be able to slow the game down and trust your stuff. I try to take a deep breath and focus on executing one pitch at a time.”

His consistent pre-pitch routine is a big part of his success. “I have a mantra I say to myself before every pitch: ‘Be aggressive and stay present,’” Ozmer explained. “It helps me block out everything else — the noise, the crowd, the stakes. If I can execute that pitch, the rest will take care of itself.”

Being named a semifinalist for the National Pitcher of the Year Award places Ozmer among the nation’s elite arms. The award, presented by the College Baseball Foundation, recognizes the most outstanding pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball and is considered one of the sport’s highest honors.

For Alabama baseball, this recognition is especially significant. No Crimson Tide pitcher has ever won the award, and if Ozmer were to capture it, he’d cement his place in program lore. “It’s humbling to even be mentioned in that conversation,” Ozmer said. “I’ve looked up to some of the guys who have won it in the past, and it’s crazy to think I’m in that mix.”

As the calendar turns to late May, the Crimson Tide have their sights set on a deep postseason run. With Ozmer anchoring the bullpen, they have a weapon that can swing any game in their favor.

“He’s the ultimate competitor,” Coach Vaughn said. “You know that when you hand the ball to Carson, he’s going to give you everything he has. That’s the kind of guy you want on the mound with the game on the line.”

Ozmer is taking it all in stride. “The postseason is why we play the game,” he said. “I’m just focused on helping this team win as many games as we can. If we play the way we’re capable of, I think we can make a run at Omaha.”

Regardless of how the rest of the season unfolds, Ozmer’s impact on Alabama baseball is undeniable. In just one season, he’s etched his name in the record books, earned the respect of his teammates, and become a fan favorite in Tuscaloosa.

But more than that, he’s shown what it looks like to bet on yourself — to leave a place of comfort and embrace a new challenge head-on. That’s the legacy he leaves behind: one of courage, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

As the awards season heats up and the NCAA tournament beckons, Carson Ozmer will continue to be a name to watch. For Alabama baseball, his presence is a reminder of what’s possible when talent meets preparation — and why, in the ninth inning, there’s no one else they’d rather have on the mound.