The College Baseball Foundation, established in 2004, announced its weekly awards Tuesday afternoon and has named Thomas Ealey of Norfolk State University as its John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Week.
Ealey was instrumental in helping lead Norfolk State to a weekend series win over Central Connecticut State in Northeast Conference play. The southpaw made one appearance on the mound, starting Sunday’s series finale, going two innings, while allowing only one hit and striking out three batters. For the weekend, Ealey was 6-for-14 (.429) at the plate, scoring four runs, earning two RBIs, one walk and one triple. The sophomore also posted a 4-for-9 (.444) performance as a hitter in mid-week play.
Each week the CBF recognizes weekly award winners in conjunction with the Brooks Wallace Award, Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award and the National Pitcher of the Year Award.
The John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award is presented annually by the College Baseball Foundation to honor the nation’s top combo pitcher-position player. Olerud, who was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, was a standout pitcher and first baseman at Washington State University from 1987 through 1989.
About the College Baseball Foundation
The purpose of the College Baseball Foundation (CBF) is to preserve, elevate, and advance the game; to inspire the next generation; to teach those who love college baseball about its rich history and traditions; to celebrate those who make college baseball special; and to honor those who have come before us, and built the foundation upon which college baseball thrives today.
The College Baseball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Support for the College Baseball Hall of Fame will help preserve the rich history of the sport for future generations. All donations to the College Baseball Hall of Fame are tax deductible and can be made via this link on the organization’s website.
The CBF presents the Brooks Wallace Award (Nation’s Most Outstanding Shortstop), the National Pitcher of the Year Award, the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, the Skip Bertman Coach of the Year Award, the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence.
About the College Baseball Hall of Fame
Each year, more than 200 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body is comprised of national and regional college baseball media, active and retired coaches, former players, former inductees, college baseball historians and members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2006. Since that time, 175 players, coaches, umpires, administrators and contributors have been selected for induction. Click here for a full list of College Baseball Hall of Fame classes.
The College Baseball Hall of Fame will establish a physical location in Overland Park, Kansas in 2026. Located within the iconic Museum at Prairiefire, the College Baseball Hall of Fame will serve as a shared community asset, deepening connections to the nation’s favorite pastime through a dynamic and ever-evolving space for college baseball enthusiasts to celebrate the sport’s rich past, present, and future.