UT Signee Recipient of Saladino Award
Drew Ehrhard named winner of 47th annual honor
TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa baseball signee Drew Ehrhard was honored with the Tony Saladino Award, which is presented annually to the top senior player in Hillsborough County.
The Tony Saladino Memorial Baseball Award was established in 1971 as a memorial to Tony Saladino Sr. and to promote school baseball. The list of winners includes a total of 12 individuals who have advanced to play in Major League Baseball.
Ehrhard, the son of UT Hall of Famer and former standout Rodney Ehrhard, is the first recipient from Wharton High School. He is also the first UT signee since Mike Valdes in 1995, though 2006 winner Carmine Giardina later transferred to Tampa from the University of Central Florida.
As a senior, Ehrhard hit .422 while slugging four home runs. He also drove in 24 runs while posting a .505 on-base percentage. He finished his career with the Wildcats as a career .380 hitter and led the team to the Class 8A region finals as a senior.
The selection of the player for this award are by nominations and voted upon by of all the current Hillsborough County high school baseball head coaches. Nominations are primarily based on each player's baseball playing abilities. Consideration is also given to scholarship, leadership and character.