DALLAS – Texas State's Dalton Shuffield was named a Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist on Thursday. He is the first Bobcat ever to be selected for the prestigious award given to the top college player.
 
Balloting was done by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, in conjunction with the Dick Howser Trophy Committee and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
Shuffield enters the final weekend of the regular season batting .397 with 79 hits of which 18 are doubles, 12 been home runs and five triples. He has also scored 71 runs, posted 44 RBI and stolen 14 bases.
 
The San Antonio native leads or ranks in the top 10 of the Sun Belt Conference in batting average, slugging percentage (.719), on-base percentage (.463), runs scored, hits, RBI, doubles, triples, home runs, total bases (143) and stolen bases. This season has seen him set the program's career record for triples (12) and tied the mark for doubles (51).
 
A total of 39 candidates hailing from 13 different conferences and 27 schools here named to the list. Shuffield, a four-time Sun Belt Player of the Week recipient this season, is the lone player from the conference among the semifinalists.
 
The Dick Howser Trophy, presented by The Game Headwear, is given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player rand manager, who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball's most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life.
 
This is the 35th year of the Dick Howser Trophy. Finalist will be announced on Thursday, June 9. After not announcing the winner in Omaha the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 award will be presented at Charles Schwab Field in downtown Omaha, the home of the College World Series for the 10th year. The winner will be unveiled on MLB Network on Friday, June 17 in the 9 a.m CT hour, before a press conference with the winner will be held at 10 a.m. on the opening day just prior to the first game of the 75th NCAA College World Series.
 
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