April 26, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky’s Thomas McCarthy – a 2011 All-Southeastern Conference third baseman – has been named one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.
A native of Corvallis, Ore., McCarthy is one of the top 10 seniors in college baseball, who excel both on and off the field, to be named finalists for the prestigious honor. The award honors four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages student-athletes to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
McCarthy, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed hitter, owns a 3.4 cumulative GPA as a psychology major. A high-character individual 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 has been a consistent hitting machine since beginning his college career. After hitting over .400 at a pair of junior college stops, McCarthy became the first UK third baseman to be named first-team All-SEC since Jim Let in 1972. During his junior season, McCarthy led the team with a .371 average, boasting a staggering .411 mark in conference action. As a senior, McCarthy hasn’t slowed up, batting .329 with 15 doubles, five homers and 26 RBI, stealing three bases. After reaching base safely in 53 of his 54 starts in 2011, McCarthy has now reached base safely in 92 of his 96 career games.
Overall in his two-year UK career, McCarthy owns a .353 average (130-for-368) with 34 doubles, two triples, 12 homers and 65 RBI, stealing 11 bases. McCarthy currently ranks sixth in UK career history in batting average.
The finalists were selected by a media committee from the list of the 30 candidates announced in the preseason. Fans can begin the nationwide fan voting immediately to determine the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award website through June 11. Fan voting, combined with media and head coaches’ votes will determine the winner. The award winner will be announced during the College World Series, held June 15-26 in Omaha.
Kentucky (35-7, 13-5 SEC) returns to action on Friday traveling to the defending SEC Champion Vanderbilt Commodores for a three-game series, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hawkins Field.
