SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Bryant baseball sophomore Owen Birchard has been ranked among the top 100 relief pitchers in collegiate baseball by D1Baseball.com, the outlet announced on Friday.

Birchard is ranked No. 59 and is joined by Maine's Sebastian Holt (No .58) in the top 100.

A native of Auburn, N.Y.., Birchard is coming off a remarkable rookie season that included 15.2 innings across 11 relief appearances. He finished the year 2-0 with a 1.72 ERA, a .151 opponent batting average and a scintillating 17.2 strikeouts/9. After allowing two runs without recording an out in his collegiate debut at Delaware, Birchard finished the year by allowing just one over his next 10 outings. That included an incredible stretch to close the year in which he struck out at least three batters in each of his final five outings. 

Bryant is set to open its season on Friday, February 13 at Davidson.