Leonard Named Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist
5/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 21, 2010
PITTSBURGH - Pitt junior third baseman Joe Leonard has been named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, which is given to the top player in collegiate baseball. Leonard joins an exclusive group of just 25 players on the list.
Leonard (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville) leads the Big East in batting average with a .435 mark on the year. In addition to breaking Pitt's single-season hits record this season, he has also broken both the single-season and career saves records for the Panthers.
In 2010, Leonard, who is the only Big East player represented on the watch list, has also been named to the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award watch list and was honored with a spot on the College Baseball Foundation's National All-Star Lineup on April 28.
Against Duquesne on April 14, Leonard achieved a rare feat in hitting for the cycle including a 5-for-5 performance with two singles, a double, a triple and a home run. With available records, it is believed that Leonard's accomplishment is the first-ever for a Pitt player.
The Dick Howser Trophy is awarded in conjunction with the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the College Baseball Foundation. Finalists for the award will be announced prior to the first game of the College World Series in a press conference at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Criteria for consideration for the trophy includes performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life.
Leonard and the Panthers will discover their position in the Big East Championship Saturday with the conclusion of the regular season.