Sophomore Brian Johnson (Cocoa Beach, Fla.) was named as one of the 10 semifinalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award announced by The College Baseball Hall of Fame on Friday. The winner of the Olerud Award will be announced in Lubbock, Texas, on July 3 as part of the College Baseball Hall of Fame's Night of Champions.
A first-team All-SEC selection, Johnson has compiled an 8-3 record with a 3.66 earned run average in 15 starts on the mound spanning 78.2 innings. The left-hander is second on the Orange and Blue with 70 strikeouts and has limited opponents to a .248 batting average. Johnson is hitting .312 with 27 RBI, 26 runs and 17 extra-base hits (10 doubles, five homers and two triples).
“Our voters will have another very difficult job as they choose between the 10 semifinalists,” said Randy Norman, Olerud Award committee co-chair. “The players on the list have some great statistics.”
Four of the Olerud Award semifinalists are playing for teams that advanced to the Super Regional round of the post-season, including Brian Hernandez of UC Irvine, Johnson, Danny Hultzen of Virginia and Mike McGee of Florida State. McGee won the inaugural award in 2010.
College Baseball's Night of Champions not only features the presentation of the John Olerud Two-way Player of the Year, but also the announcements of the Brooks Wallace Award, National Pitcher of the Year Award, Johnny Bench Award and Dick Howser Trophy. Also included is the 2011 induction of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame class.
John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Semifinalists
Ben Koenigsfeld / Army / Patriot
Bo Reeder / East Tenn. State / Atlantic Sun
Brian Hernandez / UC Irvine / Big West
Brian Johnson / FLORIDA / SEC
Cody Fick / Evansville / MVC
Danny Hultzen / Virginia / ACC
Mike McGee / Florida State / ACC
Nick Ramirez / Cal State Fullerton / Big West
Paul Snieder / Northwestern / Big 10
Zack Jones / San Jose State / WAC
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