Lewis Named One of 12 Semifinalists for Smith Award – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 15, 2003
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State left-handed pitcher Scott Lewis (So., Washington Court House, Ohio) has been named one of 12 semifinalists for the 2003 Rotary Smith Award, given annually to the NCAA Division I college baseball player of the year.
Lewis is a perfect 9-0 on the year with a 1.35 ERA, which is third best nationally. His nine wins are tied for 16th most in the nation. He has struck out 123 batters (third best in OSU history) in 80.0 innings, a strikeout per nine innings average of 13.8, which is second best nationally. The 2002 Big Ten Freshman of the Year as allowed only 43 hits and is holding batters to a batting average of .152 this season and he has allowed just 12 earned runs. The 2002 First Team All-Big Ten selection has made 11 starts this year with three complete games and two shutouts, both against Big Ten foes.
Against Iowa on April 11, Lewis struck out school-record 20 batters to earn Louisville Slugger National Pitcher of the Week honors and repeated the honor after striking out 16 in his next outing against Indiana on April 18. His total of 36 strikeouts in two games is believed to be the best two-game total in NCAA Division I baseball history. While Lewis has been dominant in all games, he has 0.83 ERA in Big Ten games with a 6-0 record. He has struck out 86 batters in 54.0 innings of conference play while giving up only five earned runs on 27 hits.
Now in its 16th year, the Rotary Smith Award honors college baseball’s player of the year, as voted upon by college baseball publicists, former winners and the coaches of those former winners. This year’s award will be presented June 26 at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Houston. A total of 16 finalists of the award appeared on opening day rosters in Major League Baseball in 2003.
The Award pays tribute to Houston’s original baseball ambassador, R.E. ‘Bob’ Smith and his wife Vivian. It rewards the winner’s character and leadership as well as his talent on the field of play. The Award benefits the Rotary Charities, Texas Children’s Hospital and the Karl Young League.
2003 Rotary Smith Award Semifinalists John Anderson Eastern Kentucky Michael Aubrey Tulane Bill Becher New Mexico State Jamie D’Antona Wake Forest Scott Lewis Ohio State Jeff Niemann Rice Carlos Quentin Stanford Kyle Sleeth Wake Forest Tim Stauffer Richmond Brad Sullivan Houston Wade Townsend Rice Rickie Weeks Southern
