BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Samford sophomore designated hitter and pitcher C.K. Irby has been named to the watch list for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award by the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the organization announced on Sunday.
As the team's designated hitter, Irby is tied for second on the team in hitting with a .348 batting average. He has hit 12 doubles, three triples and four home runs, and he has driven in 41 runs so far this season. He has a slugging percentage of .542, the fourth-highest mark on the team.
As a pitcher, Irby has served as the team's closer, leading the Bulldogs in saves with nine. He has a 3-1 record and a 1.44 ERA in 25.0 innings of work. Opponents are hitting just .221 off of Irby.
The award, named for the Washington State star who achieved success as both a first baseman and a right-handed pitcher, will be presented as part of the annual College Baseball Night of Champions on June 30 in Lubbock, Texas. The event features the presentation of numerous awards and the induction ceremony for this year's Hall of Fame class.
Irby was one of 20 players named to the initial watch list, and he is the only player from a Southern Conference school to make the list. He joins Auburn's Justin Bryant as the only two players from schools in the state of Alabama to be named to the list.
JOHN OLERUD TWO-WAY PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WATCH LIST
Zane Evans, Georgia Tech
Jake Davies, Georgia Tech
Reid Roper, Illinois
Josh Dezse, Ohio State
Cole Sturgeon, Louisville
Michael Lorenzen, Cal State Fullerton
Greg Mahle, UC Santa Barbara
Drew Reynolds, East Carolina
Ryan Gorton, Oregon State
Kevin McKague, Army
Justin Bryant, Auburn
Brian Johnson, Florida
Austin Maddox, Florida
A.J. Reed, Kentucky
Drew Steckenrider, Tennessee
C.K. Irby, Samford
Jeff McVaney, Texas State
Casey Selsor, UTSA
Marco Gonzales, Gonzaga
Aaron Brown, Pepperdine