Missouri Western junior shortstop Michael Schulze has been announced as a semifinalist for the inaugural Josh Willingham Award presented by College Baseball Lineup and D2BaseballNews.com. Schulze the MIAA Player of the Year leads the Griffons in hitting and is secone in the nation with a .456 average. He has set single season records for runs scored (70) and hits (94). He has hit saftely in 47 of the Griffons 50 games and is currently on a 13 game hitting streak.

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 twenty-eight players selected are on teams preparing to take to the diamond as a part the opening round of double-elimination Regional Championship Tournament which will determine the eight teams who will advance to Cary, NC 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.

The determination of the semifinalists 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 20th. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the DII Baseball Championship held in Cary, NC from May 25th to June 1st.

— MWSU Sports Information —