University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Hurler A Rotary Smith Award Semifinalist
5/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 22, 2002
HOUSTON, Texas---University of Houston sophomore pitcher Brad Sullivan (Nederland, Texas) is one of 12 semifinalists for the 15th Rotary Smith Award, as it was announced today.
Sullivan, who two days ago was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Year, has been the Cougars' ace all season, compiling an impressive 10-1 mark with a 2.18 earned run average. A three-time winner of the C-USA Pitcher of the Week award, Sullivan has a school-record 134 strikeouts in 103.1 innings pitched. He also set a school record with 16 strikeouts against Memphis back on April 12. Opponents are batting a meager .170 against him.
Against Tulane in March, Sullivan notched a 15-strikeout, complete game and was rewarded with National Pitcher of the Week honors from both Collegiate Baseball and NCBWA. He is also a USA Baseball National Team Trials invitee.
Joining Sullivan on this prestigious list are a pair of Clemson Tigers, Khalil Greene and Jeff Baker, Wake Forest senior closer Dave Bush, sluggers Nate Gold of Gonzaga, Brian Barthelemy of Florida State and Ryan Kenning of New Mexico State. Also on the list are starting pitchers Justin Simmons of Texas and Shane Komine of Nebraska, infielders Russ Adams of North Carolina and Rickie Weeks of Southern, and Rice's freshman hitting machine, Vincent Sinisi.
The 12 semifinalists were selected in a national round of voting by college baseball publicists. Voting to determine the three finalists who will be invited to the gala Rotary Smith Award Dinner will begin tomorrow, with the results announced June 6. The winner will be announced on June 24 at the conclusion of the dinner, which will be held this at the Hotel Inter-Continental in Houston.
Now in its 15th year, the Rotary Smith Award is awarded each summer to the nation's top college baseball player. The award, a national project of the Rotary Club of Houston, raises money for Rotary charities, Texas Children's Hospital and Karl Young League. Eight previous winners have been active in Major League Baseball during the 2002 campaign??1988 winner Andy Benes of Evansville (St. Louis Cardinals), 1991 winner Bobby Jones of Fresno State (San Diego Padres), 1994 winner Jason Varitek of Georgia Tech (Boston Red Sox), Mark Kotsay (San Diego), Kris Benson (Pittsburgh Pirates), 1997 winner Tim Hudson of Auburn (Oakland Athletics), 1999 winner Jason Jennings of Baylor (Colorado Rockies) and 2001 winner Mark Prior of USC (Chicago Cubs).
-UHCougars.com-
