THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University senior infielder
Edgar Alvarez has been named a semifinalist for the 37th annual Dick Howser Trophy presented by The Game Headgear as announced by the award's committee and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) on Thursday afternoon.
Alvarez is one of 68 candidates from 18 different conferences and 48 schools. He is the lone representative from the Southland Conference. The prestigious award is given to the top player based on two rounds of national voting by NCBWA members.
The Orlando, Florida native boasts the nation's third-best batting average (.427), with the ninth most hits (82), and his 44 free passes help him hold the 11th best on base percentage (.527). He has produced 59 RBI, which is the most by a Colonel since 1989 when Vic Merritt set the school record (65) and has scored a team-high 63 times. Alvarez is leading the SLC in hits and runs scored, and is the only player in the league batting over .400.
Head Coach
Mike Silva talked about the impact Alvarez brings to the program.
"He exemplifies everything it means to be a Colonel and has left a legacy at Nicholls that will be nearly impossible to replace, and we are very grateful for that."
Silva spoke about Alvarez's growth over the years and the respect he's earned.
"The greatest compliment you can give a player is the respect of the locker room and
coaching staff and Eddie has that unanimously in our program," Silva said. "He takes hard coaching, studies the game, and has transformed himself into not only one of the best hitters but one of the best overall players in the country."
The Dick Howser Trophy, presented by The Game Headwear, is 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. The trophy is regarded as baseball's most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character, and courage – all qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life.
After the finalist are announced on Thursday, June 8. The winner will be presented at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, the home of the College World Series, for the 12th year. The winner also will be unveiled on MLB Network on Thursday, June 13, followed by a news conference on Friday, June 14, the opening day just prior to the first game of the 77th NCAA College World Series.
