University of Tennessee Athletics
Senzel Named 2016 Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist
June 01, 2016 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Baseball's Nick Senzel has been named one of 25 semifinalists for the 2016 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award sponsored by Major League Baseball and presented in partnership with the Rod Dedeaux Foundation.
This year marks the 39th consecutive year the Golden Spikes Award has been awarded to the top amateur baseball player in the United States. Fans can follow online at GoldenSpikesAward.com as the list of 25 players is narrowed down to a group of finalists on Wednesday, June 13.
To cast your vote for Nick Senzel, click HERE.
Among the 25 semifinalists named this week, Senzel is one of seven representatives from the Southeastern Conference to be recognized on USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award watch list. The Knoxville native was previously named a Golden Spikes Award Preseason and Midseason Watch List nominee during his junior campaign on Rocky Top.
Over 57 games in 2016, Senzel hit .352 with 74 hits, 25 doubles, eight home runs and 59 RBI, along with a team-leading 25 stolen bases, .456 on-base percentage and a .595 slugging percentage. Voted a Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive third baseman last month, he led the entire league in doubles, becoming the first Volunteer third basemen to produce 25 doubles in a single season since VFL and current New York Yankee Chase Headley did so in 2005.
Senzel completed his junior year ranking among SEC Top 10 leaders in multiple offensive categories with a .352 average (9th), 57 runs scored (4th), 59 RBI (2nd), 25 doubles (1st), 125 total bases (6th), 40 walks (T-4th) and 25 stolen bases (T-3rd). He also finished the regular season earning SEC Player of the Week honors, having hit at a .571 clip (8-for-14) over four games from May 17-21, including a 6-for-11 (.545) effort against Georgia to help UT clinch a spot in the 2016 SEC Baseball Tournament.
To view the entire list of 25 semifinalists and the full release from USA Baseball, click HERE.
For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee baseball program, visit UTSports.com/baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.
