LUBBOCK, Texas — Kentucky senior catcher Sean Coughlin has been named to the Brooks Wallace College Player of the Year Award watch list, announced Wednesday by the College Baseball Foundation.
?Sean Coughlin is getting some much deserved recognition as one of the top players in the college game,? Kentucky head coach John Cohen said. ?Sean has a great baseball mind and is really dedicated to improving his craft each and every day. His winning mentality is a major asset and the leadership he provides – both on and off the field – make him a perfect candidate for the Brooks Wallace Award.?
Coughlin, a native of Morrison, Colo., has solidified himself as one of the top hitters in college baseball, punishing opposing pitchers in leading Kentucky to a 30-13-1 record. Coughlin leads the SEC in RBI, driving in 63, while batting for a .348 average. The backstop has blasted 10 home runs on the season, including a two-out grand slam on Sunday against Georgia. Coughlin has doubled 15 times and tripled three times, catapulting his slugging percentage to .630.
The field of candidates has been narrowed to 112 NCAA players as of Wednesday, and the selection committee will narrow the list to 30 semifinalists towards the end of May. Following the NCAA Super Regionals, the three finalists will be announced during the College World Series in Omaha. The three finalists, their head coaches and parents will be invited to Lubbock where they will participate in a three-day celebration of college baseball on July 2-4.
Coughlin has already surpassed his 2006 RBI total of 55 in just 40 games, aiming now for the school record RBI total of 77. 2006 SEC Player of the Year Ryan Strieby set the school mark a year ago with 77 in the team?s 61 games.
Earlier this season, Coughlin was named to the Dick Howser Award Watch List, another award given to the nation?s top college baseball player. Last season, UK?s Strieby received significant mid and post-season accolades, including being a semi-finalist for the Wallace Award.
The Wallace Award is a dedication to the memory of the former Texas Tech player and assistant coach Brooks Wallace. Wallace was a slick-fielding shortstop at Texas Tech from 1977 to 1980. A four-year starter, he was named All-Southwest Conference and All-District his senior year. He led the Red Raiders to their first-ever appearance in the Southwest Conference Tournament in 1980. After playing two years in the Texas Rangers organization, he returned to Texas Tech and served as a graduate assistant and later as an assistant coach. In the summer of 1984, he was diagnosed with cancer and fought the disease courageously until his death on March 24, 1985, at age 27.
Kurt Suzuki of Cal State Fullerton won the 2004 Brooks Wallace Award and Alex Gordon of Nebraska took home the 2005 trophy. Last year?s Wallace winner was standout pitcher/designated hitter Brad Lincoln of Houston.
