Wingate’s Dodson McPherson Named Semi-Finalist For Tino Martinez Award

Omaha, Neb.----Wingate University junior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) has been named a semi-finalist for the 2011 Tino Martinez Award. The award is presented to the most outstanding player in Division II college baseball. The annual honor is named after the former University of Tampa Spartan, United States Olympian, first-round draft pick and MLB All-Star Tino Martinez. McPherson is one of 46 semi-finalists, representing 41 schools and eight regions.

McPherson is the only player from the South Atlantic Conference on this list. Last year's winner came from the Southeast Region, with Erskine's Bryan Fogle winning the award. A panel of media, coaches and sports information directors will be polled to finalize the candidates. The group will once again vote on the finalists, with a fan Internet vote also contributing to the crowning of the winner. The finalists are scheduled to be named on Thursday, May 19. The winner will be announced after the conclusion of the Division II Baseball Championship held in Cary, N.C. from May 28 through June 4.

McPherson is the 2011 SAC Player of the Year. He led the conference in hits (91), runs (65), RBI (77), triples (5), homers (17), and slugging percentage (.748). He finished second in the league in batting average (.410), total bases (166) and on-base percentage (.475). McPherson is also among the national leaders in several categories, ranking second in hits, fourth in RBI and total bases, fifth in homers and runs scored and 11th in slugging percentage.

McPherson reached base safely in 53 of Wingate's 54 games during the season. He helped the Bulldogs to a second-place finish during the regular season, while leading Wingate to its first Food Lion SAC tournament title since 1998. The 'Dogs will be making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2001 season next week. McPherson earned All-SAC tournament honors, hitting .389 with two homers, five RBI and five runs scored in the four games. He hit a three-run homer in the championship game against Catawba, leading the Bulldogs to a 7-1 victory.

McPherson has notched multiple hits in 29 of his 54 games this year, while driving in multiple runs 19 times. He has blasted five grand slams on the year, while adding an inside-the-park homer in Wingate's final regular season game against Brevard. He had eight games of four RBI or more, including a five-RBI effort against Newberry and six-RBI effort against Brevard.

McPherson has either scored a run or driven in a run in 50 games in 2011. He has scored a run in 22 of the last 23 contests. McPherson blasted a game-tying grand slam against Newberry, helping Wingate rally for a 7-6 victory. His three-run homer in the final inning at LMU gave the Bulldogs a two-run victory. McPherson hit for the cycle in Wingate's win at Anderson, driving in four runs and scoring four times.

The NCAA Southeast Regional tournament will take place May 19-23. The games times, dates and location will be announced on Monday morning, May 16. The Bulldogs received the automatic qualification from the South Atlantic Conference via the tournament title.

2011 Tino Martinez Award semi-finalists

ATLANTIC REGION
California (Pa.) - Randy Sturgill
East Stroudsburg - Jeremy Gigliotti
Mercyhurst - Nick Gillung
Shepherd - Nathan Minnich
Slippery Rock - Matt Howard

CENTRAL REGION
Concordia St. Paul - Bryan Lippincott
Metro State - David Fox
Minnesota State - Danny Miller
Nebraska-Kearney - Andrew Hakke
St. Cloud State - Ryne Schwenke

EAST REGION
Franklin Pierce - Derek Ingui
Franklin Pierce - Ryan Thompson
Molloy - Chuck Fontana
Southern Connecticut State - Chris Zbin
St. Anselm - Robert Kelly

MIDWEST REGION
Ashland - Ajay Meyer
Grand Valley State - Steve Anderson
Grand Valley State - Kyle Schepel
Northern Kentucky - Andy Heston
St. Joseph's College (Ind.) - Sean Estand
Wayne State (Mich.) - Billy Hurley

SOUTH REGION
Arkansas Tech - Matt Johnson
Barry - Dean Green
Florida Tech - Jonathan Cornelius
Nova Southeastern - Andrew Durden
West Florida - Greg Pron
West Florida - Jason Postill
West Florida - Shane Waller

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Cameron - Chase Larsson
Central Missouri - Nick DeBiasse
Emporia State - Dillon Hazlett
Southeastern Oklahoma State - Justin Miller
Southeastern Oklahoma State - Heath Wyatt
St. Mary's (Texas) - Sammy Rivas
West Texas A&M - Jess Cooper

SOUTHEAST REGION
Franics Marion - Buddy Sosnoskie
Franics Marion - Don Sandifer
Georgia College - Shawn Ward
Mount Olive - Michael Knox
Mount Olive - Carter Capps
UNC Pembroke - Braxton Lewis
Wingate - Dodson McPherson

WEST REGION
Cal Poly Pomona - Travis Taijeron
Cal State LA - Gabriel Asakura
CSU San Bernardino - Josh Pond
UC San Diego - Tim Shibuya
Western Oregon - Daniel Dillard