IRVINE, Calif. – Presbyterian College C/1B Brad Zebedis
(Rock Hill, S.C.) was named as a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, the National
Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced today. The trophy is given annually
to the top player in collegiate baseball.
The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida
State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager, who
died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball's most
prestigious award. Criteria for
consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral
character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life.
The membership of the NCBWA will choose the Dick Howser
Trophy Award recipient based on two rounds of national voting. This year's 25th
anniversary of the Dick Howser Trophy presented by Easton Foundations will be
made even more special by the awarding of this year's honor at TD Ameritrade
Stadium in downtown Omaha, the new home of the College World Series. The award will be presented on Tuesday, June
21 at 10 a.m. CT, prior to the fourth day of the 2011 CWS.
Zebedis leads the Blue Hose in batting average (.413), hits
(85), home runs (12), runs batted in (53), total bases (142), slugging
percentage (.689) and on-base percentage (.481). Zebedis leads the Big South
Conference in several of the same categories including batting average, hits,
home runs and total bases.
With one game remaining, several Big South Conference freshman
records also sit within of reach Zebedis, according to the league. His .413
average would top Keith Butler's .406 pace set in 2000 and make him the second
freshman in conference history to hit .400 in a season. He also stands one home
run shy of the freshman record of 13 and can crack the top three in runs batted
in with one more RBI. Additionally, no freshman has ever led the Big South in
both home runs and average.
Zebedis captured the Big South Conference Choice Hotels
Player of the Week on March 21 for his strong play in the midst of a 10-game hitting
streak. He will enter Sunday's game on a 13-game hitting streak, tied for the
longest on the team this season.
The Blue Hose wrap up their 2011 campaign on Sunday in
Asheville, N.C., against UNC Asheville at McCormick Field. First pitch is scheduled
for 1 p.m.
