MACON, Ga. – Mercer University junior Kyle Lewis was selected as a semifinalist for the 2016 Dick Howser Trophy, presented by Easton Foundations, as announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. The award, given to the top player in collegiate baseball, is based on two rounds of national voting.

Lewis, a consensus a preseason All-American, is the first player in program history to be selected as a semifinalist. He is first semifinalist from the Southern Conference since 2013 and joins Georgia Tech’s Connor Justus as the only individuals from an institution in the state of the Georgia to be recognized.

The finalists will be announced on Thursday, June 9, with the 2016 award winner being unveiled on MLB Network on Friday, June 17, during the College World Series festivities in Omaha, Neb.

The Snellville, Ga., native is trying to become just the third player in SoCon history to win the league’s Triple Crown, as he tops the conference with a .411 batting average while also ranking among the league leaders with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs.

Lewis put together one of the longest on-base streaks in the nation this season, reaching safely in 48 straight games. He set Mercer’s single-season record for walks in Friday’s title-clinching win over UNCG, drawing three free passes to push his nation-leading total to 61 on the year.

Mercer opens up SoCon Championship play on Wednesday, May 25, at Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C., as the Bears face the winner of The Citadel and VMI at 12:30 p.m.