Tolan Named Semifinalist For 2014 Tino Martinez Award

5/21/2014 12:45:00 PM

OMAHA, Neb. (May 21, 2014) - The semifinalists for the 2014 Jaeger Sports Tino Martinez Award, presented by D2baseballmews.com and College Baseball Lineup, have been determined, and LIU Post senior third baseman Tom Tolan (Malverne, N.Y.) made the cut.
 
Tolan, a Division II All-East Region second-team honoree and the 2014 East Coast Conference Player of the Year, led the Pioneers in eight offensive categories this past season. He paced the green and gold and was second in the conference with a career-best .361 batting average. Tolan also led the team in on-base percentage (.418), slugging percentage (.418), runs scored (26), hits (44), triples (2), runs batted in (16) and total bases (51).
 
In addition, the Malverne, N.Y. native played a solid third base to anchor the LIU Post defense. Through a total of 89 chances, Tolan committed just four errors for a .955 fielding percentage. Tolan was a threat on the basepaths as well, swiping 15-of-19 bags.
 
The winner of the Tino Martinez Award will be named Monday, June 2, following the NCAA Division II Championships, which will be held May 24-31 in Cary, N.C. The finalists will be revealed prior to the beginning of the Division II finals.
 
About Tino Martinez
The Tino Martinez Award is named after the former University of Tampa Spartan, United States Olympian, first-round draft pick and MLB All-Star, Tino Martinez. Martinez was a three-time All-American and still holds a number of UT records, including career home runs (54), slugging percentage (.736), on-base percentage (.494), single-season batting average (.452) and single-season slugging percentage (.957).
 
While he wore a Spartan uniform, Tampa advanced to their first NCAA Division II National Championships (1987 and '87) and won their first of 12 SSC Championships ('87). Martinez was elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013. Current LSU head coach Paul Mainieri has been quoted as stating Martinez was, "the best player I've ever coached against."
 
Previous Tino Martinez Award Winners
2013 – Harmen Sidhu, Sonoma State Seawolves
2012 – Nathan Minnich, Shepherd Rams
2011 – Chase Larsson, Cameron Aggies
2010 – Bryan Fogle, Erskine Flying Fleet
 
For the full list of semifinalists, click here.