University of Louisville junior righthander Lincoln Henzman was named Monday as a semifinalist for the 2017 Gregg Olson Award, given annually to college baseball’s breakout player of the year who elevates his game to an elite level throughout the season.
The Olson Award has been developed 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. Eligible players will be those who are omitted from major publication’s preseason All American prognostications; however by the end of the season their on the field performance will demonstrate that they are among the top amateur baseball players in the nation.
Finalists will be announced during Super Regional action. The winner of the 2017 Gregg Olson Award will be named in Omaha, Nebraska during the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park.
Henzman has provided the Cardinals with a dominant option in the closer role this season leading the nation with 16 saves to go with his 3-0 record, 1.30 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 34.2 innings pitched and 24 total relief appearances. Thirteen of the Lexington, Kentucky native’s 16 saves came against ACC foes, while opposing hitters are batting just .147 against him this season. The 16 saves for Henzman rank as the third most in a season by a Louisville player, while his 19 career saves are also third all-time.
The No. 7 Cardinals (50-10) won their fifth straight NCAA Regional championship on Sunday night with an 8-7 victory against Xavier at Jim Patterson Stadium. Louisville will host an NCAA Super Regional for the fourth consecutive season and the best-of-three series will begin either Friday or Saturday against the winner of the Lexington Regional.
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Garett Wall
Assistant Sports Information Director