MORGANTOWN, WVa. – Junior Michael Katz was a named a Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America on Friday morning.  Katz is one of 35 semifinalist, and the only player from the Colonial Athletic Association tabbed.

Katz has had a breakout season in 2014 and it has garnered national attention. The Falls Church, Virginia native leads the country in RBIs (71) and runs driven in per game (1.48). He also ranks in the top 10 nationally in home runs (14), doubles (23), doubles per game (0.48), runs (61), home runs per game (0.29), slugging percentage (.711), total bases (143), and runs per game (1.27).  

The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager, who died of brain cancer in 1987. The award 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.

The finalists will be announced on Thursday, June 5.  The 2014 award will be presented at TD Ameritrade Stadium in downtown Omaha, the home of the College World Series for the fourth year.  The winner will be unveiled on Saturday, June 14 at 10 a.m. CT, the opening day of the 2014 CWS.

Katz has also been named to the 30-man watch list for the Golden Spikes Award, which is presented to the best amateur player in the country by USA Baseball.

W&M opens its final regular season series at the College of Charleston today, May 16. The teams will play a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m., before concluding the series with a 3 p.m. game on Sunday, May 17.