Houston's Sullivan a Finalist for Smith Award

Brad Sullivan

Houston sophomore righthander Brad Sullivan has been named as one of three finalists for the Rotary Smith Award, given by the Rotary Club of Houston to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player. Sullivan is joined by record-setting Clemson shortstop Khalil Greene and Texas sophomore lefthander Justin Simmons in the finalist pool. The winner of the award will be announced at the conclusion of the gala Rotary Smith Dinner at the Hotel Inter-Continental in Houston on June 24.

Sullivan was named Conference USA’s Pitcher of the Year this season after helping the Cougars to the league’s regular season championship and a berth in this weekend’s NCAA Super Regional at Austin, Texas. The Nederland, Texas, native has compiled a 12-1 record with a 1.93 ERA and set UH and Conference USA single-season records with 151 strikeouts in 121.1 innings of work. Sullivan has also come on strong down the stretch, having allowed only one run in his last 29.0 innings and tossing shutouts in two of his last three starts.

Now in its 15th year, the Rotary Smith Award is awarded each summer to the nation's top college baseball player. The award raises money for Rotary charities, Texas Children's Hospital and the Karl Young League. Eight previous winners have been active in major league baseball during the 2002 campaign - 1988 winner of Andy Benes of Evansville (St. Louis Cardinals), 1991 winner Bobby Jones of Fresno State (San Diego Padres), 1994 winner Jason Varitek of Georgia Tech (Boston Red Sox), 1995 winner Mark Kotsay (San Diego), 1996 winner Kris Benson (Pittsburgh Pirates), 1997 winner Tim Hudson of Auburn (Oakland Athletics), 1999 winner Jason Jennings of Baylor (Colorado Rockies) and 2001 winner Mark Prior of Southern California (Chicago Cubs), while 1993 honoree, Darren Dreifort of the Dodgers has spent the season on the disabled list.

Sullivan is scheduled to be on the mound on Friday night (7:00 p.m. CDT) in game one against Texas. A victory by Houston in the best-of-three series would give C-USA a College World Series team for the second consecutive season (Tulane advanced to Omaha last June).