Feb. 23, 2012
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Kentucky baseball senior third baseman Thomas McCarthy has been selected one of the nation’s 30 candidates for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award®, it was announced on Thursday afternoon.
A native of Corvallis, Ore., McCarthy is one of 30 candidates for the award, selected on Thursday. To be eligible for the honor, senior student-athletes must have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
A 6-foot-2, 200-pound third baseman, McCarthy owns a 3.4 cumulative GPA as a psychology major. A high-character invidiual who has been a vocal and physical team leader for the Wildcats, McCarthy has been praised throughout his career for his leadership, work ethic and infectious personality. A co-captain on the 2012 team, McCarthy is a member of UK’s Student Athletic Advisory Council.
In the community, McCarthy has been extremely active during his two years in Lexington, including volunteering to mentor and coach children at the Bluegrass Miracle League, a little league geared for allowing handicapped children the ability to play baseball. He worked as a buddy at the Miracle League, helping provide amazing opportunities for handicapped children, who otherwise would not be given an opportunity to play the game. McCarthy has volunteered to work with the God’s Pantry program, packing backpacks for under-privileged elementary children and distributing them at local schools. He has also volunteered to speak at various elementary schools, participated in a bake sale for the Salvation Army and helped raise money for a young girl who was desperately in need of finances for a blood transfusion.
On the field, McCarthy was a dominating force in 2011, becoming the first UK player to earn first-team All-SEC honors at third base since 1972. McCarthy led UK with a .371 average – including a .411 mark in SEC play – reaching base safely in 53 of 54 starts in 2011. McCarthy led UK in average, hits (78), two-out hits (31), two-out RBI (20), doubles (19) and slugging (.581). He launched seven homers in 2011 and his first hit in 2012 came as a monster homer at Wofford in the season opener.
UK returns to action on Friday, hosting its home opener at Cliff Hagan Stadium. UK will welcome Buffalo at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, before hosting the Bulls on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. All three games can be heard on the UK IMG Radio Network, with Neil Price and Dick Gabriel calling the action. Fans in Lexington can hear the game live on WGVN 1580-AM for all three contests.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete experience and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, will announce the Senior CLASS Award® winner during the 2012 NCAA College World Series, which will be held June 15-26 in Omaha.
The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, Division I head coaches and fans who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
For more information on all the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Candidates – Baseball
Pablo Bermudez, Outfield, FIU
Robbie Buller, First Base/Pitcher, Houston Baptist
Pat Cantwell, Catcher, Stony Brook
Scott Coffman, Pitcher, New Mexico State
Bo Cuthbertson, Shortstop, Southern Utah
Taylor Dugas, Centerfield, Alabama
Matt Hamann, Pitcher, Belmont
Jake Hibberd, First Base, Wright State
Todd Hornsby, Pitcher, Jacksonville State
Mike Le Bel, Infield, Rhode Island
David Lyon, Catcher, Kent State
Thomas McCarthy, Third Base, Kentucky
Charlie McCready, Pitcher, Charleston Southern
Trenton Moses, Third Base, Southeast Missouri State
Austin Nola, Shortstop, LSU
Peter O’Brien, Catcher, Miami (Florida)
Nick Orvin, Outfield, Citadel
Phil Pohl, Catcher/First Base/Outfield, Clemson
Zach Price, Infield, Army
James Ramsey, Outfield, Florida State
Brance Rivera, Outfield, TCU
Michael Roth, Pitcher/First Base, South Carolina
Cam Schiller, Second Base, Oral Roberts
Joe Sclafani, Shortstop, Dartmouth
Ronnie Shaeffer, Catcher, UC Irvine
Tyler Sibley, Second Base, Texas State
Ross Stripling, Pitcher, Texas A&M
Brent Suter, Pitcher, Harvard
Preston Tucker, Infield/Outfield, Florida
Troy White, Third Base, Northern Illinois
