OSU's Heaney A Semifinalist For National Award

Oklahoma State pitcher Andrew Heaney has been named a semifinalist for a top national award.

Heaney is one of 35 semifinalists, and one of the 10 starting pitchers up for the 2012 Dick Howser Trophy which is awarded to the top player in collegiate baseball.

So far this season the junior is 8-1 with five complete games including three shutouts and a 1.63 ERA.

Heaney ranks second in the NCAA with 132 strikeouts in 110.1 innings and has recorded eight or more strikeouts in 11 of his 14 appearances, including six in which he's struck out 10 or more.

Heaney is the first OSU pitcher since 2000 to record 100 or more strikeouts in a season, and his 132 Ks are the fifth-highest single-season total by a Cowboy pitcher.

He leads the Big 12 with three shutouts, which is tied for the third most in a single season in OSU history, and also tops the conference in complete games and innings pitched. He ranks second in the league in ERA, wins and opponents batting average (.183).

The Dick Howser Trophy is given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and Major League Baseball player and manager, who died of brain cancer in 1987 and is regarded by many as college baseball's most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life.

The award will be presented on Friday, June 15 on the opening day of the 2012 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Stadium in downtown Omaha.