OMAHA, Neb. – Bradley outfielder Mike Tauchman has raised his play to a new level in his senior season and his efforts continue to be recognized, now on the national level. Today, Tauchman was named one of 46 semifinalists for the inaugural Gregg Olson Award, presented by Toolshed Sports, honoring the nation's “Breakout Player of the Year.”
The Gregg Olson Award is named for the former Auburn star pitcher, who became one of the top collegiate players in the nation after an initial season filled with only mixed success. Olson went on to become a two-time All-American, first-round MLB draft pick, American League Rookie of the Year and MLB All-Star.
The list of semifinalists was determined by an independent panel after nominations from sports information and media contacts. A list of finalists is scheduled to be announced June 3 and the winner of the 2013 Gregg Olson Award will be named at TD Ameritrade Park during the College World Series.
Though Tauchman was an accomplished hitter with honorable mention (2012) and second-team all-conference (2011) awards to his credit, the senior leftfielder most definitely has enjoyed a breakout season in 2013. Bradley's second-ever Joe Carter Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, Tauchman continues to lead the nation with a .423 season batting average. He also entered the MVC Baseball Championship leading The Valley with 89 runs produced through the season's first 47 games and he is second in the league with 28 stolen bases.
Bradley will face Evansville this afternoon in an elimination game in the second round of the MVC Baseball Championship at Illinois State's Duffy Bass Field. Originally scheduled for a 12:37 p.m. start as the day's second game, the Bradley-Evansville start time will be delayed as the day's opener between Creighton and Wichita State has not yet started due to morning rain.
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