Norfolk State Alex Mauricio A Semifinalist For John Olerud Two-Way Player of The Year Award

Norfolk State junior Alex Mauricio has been selected as one of nine semifinalists for the John Olerud National Two-Way Player of the Year Award, the College Baseball Hall of Fame announced.

The award is given annually by the College Baseball Foundation to the top Division I player who pitches in addition to playing another position. Mauricio joins the following players as semifinalists: Adam Haseley of Virginia, Anthony Herrera of Louisiana-Monroe, two-time winner Brendan McKay of Louisville, John McMillon of Texas Tech, Jake Meyers of Nebraska, Aaron Phillips of St. Bonaventure, Alex Troop of Michigan State and Braden Zarbinsky of West Virginia.

Mauricio has proven to be one of the top pitchers and hitters in the MEAC this season. On the mound, the hard-throwing right hander is 4-3 with a 3.28 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 57.2 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting just .227 against him. He ranks third in the conference in opponent average and fifth in ERA.

At the plate, Mauricio is batting .374 with 17 doubles, three triples, one home run and 25 runs batted in to go with 11 stolen bases. He leads the MEAC in slugging (.573), is second in doubles, third in batting and fourth in on-base percentage (.457). Mauricio has played first base, second base, shortstop and designated hitter this season for the Spartans (24-20), who locked up their third consecutive MEAC Northern Division regular-season title last weekend.

The award is named for the former Washington State University standout who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s and who was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. The winner will be announced later this summer.

JOHN OLERUD TWO-WAY PLAYER OF THE YEAR SEMIFINALISTS

Courtesy of Norfolk State Sports Information