Brendan McKay Louisville vs. Kentucky 4-19-2016 Photo by William Caudill

FINALISTS: McKay Up For Olerud, Hairston SS of Year

Mark BlankenbakerJune 14, 2016

Brendan McKay Finalist for John Olerud Award

Reigning John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Brendan McKay was named Tuesday as one of three finalists for this season’s honor as announced by the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.

McKay, a sophomore lefthanded pitcher and first baseman, was joined by Virginia outfielder/left-hander Adam Haseley and Dallas Baptist first baseman/right-hander Darick Hall as the finalists for the award, which goes to the nation’s top player who plays in the field as well as contributes to his team’s success on the mound.

“These three players exemplify what the John Olerud Award is all about, excelling not only at multiple positions but being a player their teammates can count on to lead the way,” Olerud Award co-chairman George Watson said. “All three have had outstanding seasons in leading their teams to the postseason and distinguishing themselves among the best players in the country.”

A native of Darlington, Pennsylvania, McKay finished the season hitting .333 with six home runs, 41 RBI and 19 doubles at the plate, while going 12-4 with a 2.30 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 109.2 innings on the mound. Named to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team for the second straight season as well as earning All-American and All-ACC honors again in 2016, McKay led the Cardinals (50-14) to their second straight ACC Atlantic Division championship, their fourth straight NCAA Super Regional and 50 or more wins for the fourth time in school history.

The award, presented by the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, is named for the former Washington State University standout who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s and who was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. The award will be presented as part of the Hall of Fame’s annual Night of Champions celebration July 2 in Lubbock.

Devin Hairston Finalist for Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award

Louisville sophomore Devin Hairston was named Tuesday as one of three finalists for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award, presented by the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

The award honors the nation’s top shortstop and will be presented as part of the annual Night of Champions celebration on July 2 in Lubbock, Texas.

Hairston is joined by fellow finalists Sheldon Neuse of Oklahoma and Charles Leblanc of Pittsburgh.

“Selecting just three players as finalists from a great group of qualified talent proved to be very difficult,” said Wallace Award co-chair Larry Wallace. “All three of these young men represent the spirit of the Wallace Award and have distinguished themselves as the top shortstops in the country.”

A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Hairston hit .361 with three home runs, 45 RBI, 16 doubles and scored 56 runs while starting all 64 games for the Cardinals in 2016. He also posted a .478 slugging percentage and a .415 on-base percentage, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference third-team honors. Additionally, Hairston has been chosen to compete this summer with the 2016 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

The Night of Champions event also features the announcement of the winners of the National Pitcher of the Year Award, the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award and the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year Award, as well as the 2016 National College Baseball Hall of Fame inductions. The winners of the Johnny Bench Award and the Dick Howser Trophy will be recognized as well.