Nathan Becker
Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Becker Named to Gregg Olson Award Watch List
5/13/2014 11:40:00 AM | Baseball
Complete 2014 Gregg Olson Award Watch List
OMAHA, Neb. – Davidson outfielder Nathan Becker has been named to the Gregg Olson Award Watch List for college baseball's "Breakout Player of the Year," as announced Tuesday by College Baseball Lineup.
The Gregg Olson Award, presented by Toolshed Sports, is named after former Auburn Tiger star pitcher Gregg Olson, who became one of the top collegiate players in the nation after an initial season filled with only mixed success. Olson went on to become a two-time All-American, first-round draft pick, American League Rookie of the Year and MLB All-Star. Becker was one of 80 players named to this year's watch list.
Becker has emerged as one of the top home run hitters in the nation this season, presently ranking fourth nationally in home runs per game with 11 in just 35 games (0.31). Despite losing a total of 14 games – seven due to cancellations and seven due to injury – his 11 blasts still rank 16th overall.
The Greensboro, N.C., native attended the University of North Carolina for his first year of college, but was not a member of the baseball team. He transferred to Davidson for the 2011-12 academic year and mustered just one walk in eight appearances in his first season. Becker started all 49 games last season and batted .292, but he homered just once and drove in 14 RBIs.
However, Becker quickly eclipsed his power numbers in his junior season this year. After opening the month of March with home runs in back-to-back games against Miami (Ohio), including a grand slam, Becker homered in four consecutive games (UMass twice, North Carolina A&T, The Citadel) just over a week later.
In addition to Becker's 11 homers, he will enter the final regular season series of the season Thursday at Western Carolina batting .301 with 34 RBIs, and a .596 slugging percentage that ranks third in the Southern Conference.
Initial nominations were made by sports information/media contacts from schools across the country. The finalists and winner will be determined by an independent panel.
Semifinalists are slated to be named Friday, May 30 at the start of NCAA Regional play and the finalists are scheduled to be announced on Friday, June 6 at the beginning of Super Regional action. The winner of the 2014 Gregg Olson Award will be named in Omaha, Nebraska, during the College World Series which is to be held this season at TD Ameritrade Park from June 15-June 25/26.
Davidson (28-14, 17-5 SoCon) will play at Western Carolina (33-16, 17-6 SoCon) Thursday at 5 p.m., and then conclude the three-game series with a doubleheader Friday starting at 2 p.m. The winner of the series will win the Southern Conference regular season championship.
OMAHA, Neb. – Davidson outfielder Nathan Becker has been named to the Gregg Olson Award Watch List for college baseball's "Breakout Player of the Year," as announced Tuesday by College Baseball Lineup.
The Gregg Olson Award, presented by Toolshed Sports, is named after former Auburn Tiger star pitcher Gregg Olson, who became one of the top collegiate players in the nation after an initial season filled with only mixed success. Olson went on to become a two-time All-American, first-round draft pick, American League Rookie of the Year and MLB All-Star. Becker was one of 80 players named to this year's watch list.
Becker has emerged as one of the top home run hitters in the nation this season, presently ranking fourth nationally in home runs per game with 11 in just 35 games (0.31). Despite losing a total of 14 games – seven due to cancellations and seven due to injury – his 11 blasts still rank 16th overall.
The Greensboro, N.C., native attended the University of North Carolina for his first year of college, but was not a member of the baseball team. He transferred to Davidson for the 2011-12 academic year and mustered just one walk in eight appearances in his first season. Becker started all 49 games last season and batted .292, but he homered just once and drove in 14 RBIs.
However, Becker quickly eclipsed his power numbers in his junior season this year. After opening the month of March with home runs in back-to-back games against Miami (Ohio), including a grand slam, Becker homered in four consecutive games (UMass twice, North Carolina A&T, The Citadel) just over a week later.
In addition to Becker's 11 homers, he will enter the final regular season series of the season Thursday at Western Carolina batting .301 with 34 RBIs, and a .596 slugging percentage that ranks third in the Southern Conference.
Initial nominations were made by sports information/media contacts from schools across the country. The finalists and winner will be determined by an independent panel.
Semifinalists are slated to be named Friday, May 30 at the start of NCAA Regional play and the finalists are scheduled to be announced on Friday, June 6 at the beginning of Super Regional action. The winner of the 2014 Gregg Olson Award will be named in Omaha, Nebraska, during the College World Series which is to be held this season at TD Ameritrade Park from June 15-June 25/26.
Davidson (28-14, 17-5 SoCon) will play at Western Carolina (33-16, 17-6 SoCon) Thursday at 5 p.m., and then conclude the three-game series with a doubleheader Friday starting at 2 p.m. The winner of the series will win the Southern Conference regular season championship.
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