Texas Tech sophomore Tanner Gardner was named Friday a semifinalist for the Gregg Olson Award that is presented annually to college baseball’s breakout player of the year.
Gardner is one of 43 players nationally up for the award that is named in honor of former Auburn standout Gregg Olson. The award is designed to honor college baseball’s success stories and showcase players like Olson who have raised the level of their game through hard work, strength of mind and determination.
This is the third time in the past four years where a Red Raider has been named at least a semifinalist for the Gregg Olson Award. Trey Masek was also a semifinalist in 2013 while Tyler Neslony advanced a step further and was named a finalist for the award in 2014.
Gardner leads the Red Raiders with a .375 average this season to go along with three home runs, 16 doubles, five triples and 31 RBI. He has a team-leading 21 multi-hit games this season heading into this afternoon’s 2 p.m. first pitch with West Virginia.
Gardner, a native of Frisco, Texas, entered this weekend’s series as the Big 12 Conference leader in both triples and on-base percentage (.491). He is also among the league leaders in walks (37), batting average (.375), hits (69), doubles (16), slugging percentage (.565), runs scored (46) and total bases (104).
Finalists for the Gregg Olson Award will be announced during NCAA Super Regional action. The winner of the award will be named during the College World Series held at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Red Raiders will look to clinch the series against the Mountaineers later this afternoon in a 2 p.m. first pitch inside Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park. The game will air live on FOX Sports Southwest.
(Press Release Provided by Texas Tech Athletics)
