Liebel on Initial List of Golden Spikes Award Honorees
May 21, 2008
Liebel National Player of the Year Page DURHAM--Long Beach State right hander Andrew Liebel (pronounced LEE-bull), already a semifinalist for the Clemens Award, was named to the initial list of finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation's best player. The list of 50 names will be paired down to five on June 3, with the winner coming on July 16. Over the last four years, Long Beach State has had Jered Weaver earn the award in 2004 and Evan Longoria become one of five finalists in 2006. Liebel, who is 8-2 on the season, continues to lead the Big West in ERA (1.74) and innings pitch (103.2) and is second in strikeouts (91). He has pitched into the seventh inning in all 19 of his career starts after 54 career relief appearances. Liebel is seventh nationally in ERA and ranks 41st nationally in wins. His first three starts of the season (in which he had a 1.16 ERA against Rice, Wichita State and Hawaii) were all no-decisions that LBSU won in extra innings. He is 12-3 as a starter and 19-8 overall, one win from becoming the 10th LBSU pitcher with 20 career wins. The award, sponsored by Major League and USA Baseball, is in its 31st year. The Dirtbags close out the regular season playing CS Fullerton for the conference title this weekend at Blair Field. The team that wins the series (two of three) wins the conference and the NCAA automatic bid. LBSU is a game out in the standings. Complete Full GSA Honorees in PDF Format
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