Poythress Named Howser Semifinalist

From UGA Athletics...

Georgia junior first baseman Rich Poythress is among 16 semifinalists for the 2009 Dick Howser Trophy, it was announced Thursday by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

The Dick Howser Trophy is given annually to the top player in college baseball by the NCBWA in conjunction with the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the College Baseball Foundation. Criteria for consideration for the Dick Howser Trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by the former Florida State All-America shortstop.

Poythress leads Georgia (35-17, 15-12 SEC) with a .387 average, 21 home runs and 75 RBI this season. He is ranked in the top two in the SEC in eight statistical categories including first in hits and second in RBI, home runs, batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, total bases and runs. The Grovetown, Ga., native is just two RBI shy of tying Gordon Beckham's single season school record 77 RBI, and he is the first player in Georgia history to record two 70-RBI seasons.