Hunter Fitz-Gerald Named a Semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy

DALLAS – Old Dominion junior first baseman Hunter Fitz-Gerald has been named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, given to the top player in the country.
 
Fitz-Gerald leads all ODU starters with a .321 batting average, 21 home runs, 67 RBIs and in hits with 70. He is tied for eighth in the country in homers and 21st in RBIs.
 
A native of Margate, Florida, Fitz-Gerald is tied for the ODU lead with 21 multi-hit games and leads the club with a pair of five-hit games. He also leads the Monarchs with 20 multi-RBI games. Earlier this season he set a school record by hitting a home run in seven-straight games.
 
The Dick Howser Trophy, presented by The Game Headwear, 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 as 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.
 
This year's 60 candidates hail from 17 different conferences and 42 different schools. Fitz-Gerald is one of four players from the Sun Belt Conference on the list, joining Derek Bender (Coastal Carolina), Tanner Hall (Southern Miss) and Shane Lewis (Troy.)
 
Fitz-Gerald and the Monarchs take on Georgia State today at 3 p.m. at Bud Metheny Ballpark.