Tino Martinez Div. II Player of the Year Semifinalists
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Eckerd College baseball senior standout pitcher
Joey Cuda moved one step closer to one of the most prestigious awards handed out on the Division II level, officially being recognized as a semifinalist for the Tino Martinez Player of the Year Award today.
Cuda was on the initial watch list announced prior to the start of the spring season. There are a total of 55 semifinalists trimmed down by the panel, including nine from the South Region.
At least six student-athletes from eight different geographic regions were selected to make the cut.
Cuda compiled six wins in over 86 innings pitched, racking up the school's second-highest single-season strikeout total with 114 against only 14 walks allowed.
Cuda is in the running to defend his honor for Sunshine State Conference Pitcher of the Year and is also on the ballot as the Daktronics All-South Region Pitcher of the Year. He has been named both SSC and South Region Pitcher of the Week after three different voting periods this spring.
Initial nominations for the award were made by baseball sports information contacts and media members. A panel of media, coaches and sports information officers, will be polled to finalize the candidates.
The group will once again vote on the finalists, with a fan Internet vote also contributing to the crowning of the winner.
The finalists are scheduled to be named on Monday, May 21. The winner will be announced after the conclusion of the NCAA Div. II Championship held in Cary, N.C., from May 26 to June 2.
The award is presented to the most outstanding player in Div. II college baseball. The annual honor is named after the former University of Tampa Spartan, United States Olympian, first-round draft pick and MLB All-Star, Tino Martinez.
