Adam Pendleton Named Semifinalist for Josh Willingham Award

OMAHA, Neb. - The semifinalists for the inaugural Josh Willingham Award presented by College Baseball Lineup and D2BaseballNews.com have been announced, with University of Tampa student-athlete Adam Pendleton on the list.

The new annual award honors DII college baseball's "most valuable player" - an individual who not only excels on the field, but in the dugout, clubhouse and practice field as well, and leads his team to national championship caliber status. The 28 players selected are on teams preparing to take to the diamond as a part the opening round of double-elimination NCAA Regional Championship Tournament which will determine the eight teams who will advance to Cary, N.C., to a compete for the DII national title.

The award is named after the former University of North Alabama Lion star, Josh Willingham. While playing baseball at UNA Willingham was a two-time All American and tied or broke 14 school single-game, season and career records. After his junior season Willingham was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 17th round of the Major League Baseball Draft and he is currently in the midst of his 10th season at the highest professional level.

Pendleton, a senior catcher form Tampa, is a four-year letterwinner who has been a major part of the team each of his four seasons. Throughout his career, he has been honored multiple times as a member of the Sunshine State Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and Capital One Academic All-District team while being a D2 ADA Academic recipient. He is also a member of National Honor Society and Science Honors and was the recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award and Marine Corp Honor, Courage and Commitment Award. He has also volunteered as a power wheelchair soccer league assistant and with Relay For Life and the Pony League.

A leader on the field, Pendleton is the starting catcher and has helped the Spartans to their second straight SSC title and a 40-10 overall record. As a senior, he is currently hitting .333 with a home run and 26 RBI.

The determination of the semifinalist candidates and initial voting for the award has been made by a select panel of baseball sports information contacts and media members. Once a group of finalists are selected, the panel will vote again and a fan Internet vote is planned to contribute to the selection of the winner.

The finalists are scheduled to be named on Monday, May 20. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the DII Baseball Championship held in Cary, N.C., from May 25 to June 1.

For more information about the award visit www.willinghamaward.com.

2013 Josh Willingham Award Semifinalists
PLAYER YR POS SCHOOL
Aldridge, Tyler Sr. 3B Delta St.
Anderson, Will Jr. RHP Cal State Monterey Bay
Baur, Bryce Sr. OF USC Aiken
Borgschulte, Matt Sr. OF Drury
Cima, Mike Sr. C Seton Hill
Easterling, Brannon Jr. RHP St. Edward's
Ernst, Brian Sr. UTL East Stroudsburg
Graham, Trevor Jr. RHP Franklin Pierce
Hampton, Josh Jr. 3B Wilmington
Harris, David Sr. SS Southern Arkansas
Jay, Peter Sr. RHP New Haven
Kline, Kevin So. 1B Dixie St.
Kondla, Fico Jr. 1B Coker
Lieser, Scott Sr. RHP St. Cloud St.
Martin, Harvey Sr. RHP Minnesota St.
Mercuio, Mike Sr. SS Mount Olive
Neumann, Lee Sr. OF Angelo St.
O'Neal, Carl Sr. RHP St. Mary's
Pendleton, Adam Sr. C Tampa
Peterson, Jordan So. RHP St. Joseph's
Robertson, Nate So. SS Colorado Mesa
Russo, Mike Sr. C St. Thomas Aquinas
Schulze, Michael Jr. SS Missouri Western State
Stone, Zach Jr. 1B Millersville
Taska, Taylor Jr. UTL Texas A&M Kingsville
Ward, Benjamin Sr. RHP Valdosta State
Wharton, James Sr. 1B Cal State LA
Zabron, Brad Sr. LHP Grand Valley State