Four Conference USA standouts have been named as semifinalists for the 2004 Dick Howser Trophy, given to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player. East Carolina’s Ryan Jones and Trevor Lawhorn are joined by Ryan Frith and Jarrett Hoffpauir of Southern Miss in receiving National Player of the Year consideration.

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

The membership of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) will choose the Dick Howser Trophy based on three rounds of voting. The 2004 winner will be announced at the College World Series in Omaha on Friday, June 18 at 9:30 a.m. CDT.

Jones has led the nation in slugging percentage nearly all season long and is currently at a .297 clip. He leads Conference USA in batting (.418), on-base percentage (.512), and total bases (153), while tying with teammate Ryan Norwood for the league in doubles with a school-record-tying 22. Jones, who has twice been named C-USA Hitter of the Week this season, ranks second in the league in home runs (18) and RBI (63).

In his first season at ECU, Trevor Lawhorn has followed in his brother Darryl’s steps as a hard-hitting, home run threat. He leads Conference USA with 20 home runs and his per game average of 0.43 home runs leads the nation. He ranks third in C-USA in RBI with 58 and he is tied for seventh in doubles with 15. Lawhorn is batting .310 and currently has a .685 slugging percentage.

Frith has emerged as one of the league’s top hitters after playing sparingly in 2003. He is tied for second in the league in home runs with 18 and currently places sixth in RBI with 54. Frith has 12 doubles and is currently batting .323. On March 8, he earned Conference USA and national Hitter of the Week honors.

Hoffpauir ranks among the top 10 in Conference USA in six different offensive categories. He leads the league in hits (83) and RBI (68), while tying for second in batting average (.401). Hoffpauir has hit a team-high 20 doubles and scored 48 runs, while adding a league-leading 11 sacrifice flies. He was named Conference USA Hitter of the Week on March 29.

Conference USA’s four semifinalist selections tied for third among all Division I leagues. Only the SEC (6) and Big 12 (5) had more.

For more information on the Dick Howser Trophy, please visit www.NCBWA.com or www.DickHowserTrophy.com.


2004 DICK HOWSER TROPHY SEMIFINALISTS

SS Dustin Pedoria, Arizona State
RP Steven Register, Auburn
UT/ATH Connor Robertson, Birmingham-Southern
3B Brad McCann, Clemson
UT/ATH Ryan Jones, East Carolina
2B Trevor Lawhorn, East Carolina
P Justin Hoyman, Florida
OF Eddy Martinez-Esteve, Florida State
P Jered Weaver, Long Beach State
OF Jon Zeringue, LSU
1B Billy Becher, New Mexico State
3B Alex Gordon, Nebraska
C Chris Iannetta, North Carolina
P Spencer Grogan, Oklahoma State
1B-P Stephen Head, Ole Miss
UT/ATH P.J. Hiser, Pittsburgh
P Philip Humber, Rice
P Wade Townsend, Rice
OF Jeff Frazier, Rutgers
C Landon Powell, South Carolina
OF Ryan Frith, Southern Miss
2B Jarrett Hoffpauir, Southern Miss
2B Jed Lowrie, Stanford
P J.P. Howell, Texas
SP Jason Meyer, Texas A&M
1B Josh Brady, Texas Tech
P Matt Fox, UCF
2B Warner Jones, Vanderbilt
UT/ATH Joe Koshansky, Virginia
OF Chris Rahl, William & Mary