Starkville, MS – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the College Baseball Foundation has released the list of 16 semifinalists for the 2009 Dick Howser Trophy, given to the top player in collegiate baseball.  Among those 16 are Saint Mary’s freshman third baseman Troy Channing.

Channing had a breakout year for the Gaels in 2009 in which he set SMC single season records for homeruns (20) and RBI (75).  Channing, who leads the WCC in homeruns and RBI, currently sits third in the WCC with a .379 average.  He is also first in total bases (149), and slugging percentage (.723), third in hits (78), and on base percentage (.463), sixth in walks (26) and tenth in runs scored (45).

The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida State University All-American shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award.

The 16 candidates hail from nine difference conferences and 16 difference schools, of the 16 players Channing is one of two freshmen on the list.  Criteria for the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Hower’s life.

The membership of the NCBWA will choose the Dick Howser Trophy based on two rounds of national voting.  Three 2009 finalists will be announced just prior to the first game of the College World Series.  The winner will be named in a national broadcast from Lubbock, TX on Thursday, July 2.

  2009 DICK HOWSER TROPHY SEMIFINALISTS
 Pos. Name, School
Dustin Ackley, 1B, North Carolina
Matt Alexander, DH, Air Force
Kyle Bellamy, P, Miami (Fla.)
Troy Channing, 3B, Saint Mary’s
Cody Hawn, 1B, Tennessee
Chris Henderson, C, George Mason
Mike Leake, P, Arizona State
Bryan Marquez, SS, New Mexico State
OF Kent Matthes, OF, Alabama
Derek McCallum, 2B, Minnesota
Tommy Mendonca, 3B, Fresno State
A.J. Morris, P, Kansas State
Rich Poythress, 1B, Georgia
Brooks Raley, UT, Texas A&M
Anthony Rendon, 3B, Rice
Stephen Strasburg, P, San Diego State