May 10, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - Brooks Pinckard was the only player from the Big 12 Conference among the 25 players named to the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award watch list, as announced by the College Baseball Foundation Monday.
The Olerud Award recognizes a player who makes an impact both on the mound and at the plate. The inaugural award will be presented in Lubbock, Texas, on July 2 as part of the College Baseball Awards Show.
Pinckard, a sophomore from Buda, Texas, has made significant contributions to the 2010 Baylor squad as the Bears' center fielder and closer. In 34 games, Pinckard is hitting .328 with 11 doubles, two triples and one home run. He leads the team with 12 stolen bases and ranks third with 32 runs scored.
Though he pitched in just 13 games as a freshman, Pinckard had no trouble jumping into the spotlight as the Bears' closer in 2010. He converted each of his first nine save opportunities, setting a record for most saves ever by a sophomore at Baylor.
Through his first 16 appearances on the mound, Pinckard has a 1-3 record with a 1.44 ERA in 25.0 innings pitched. He allowed just one earned run through his first 13 appearances, and all three of his losses have come in extra-inning games when he's been asked to pitch more than 2.0 innings.
Due to an injury, Pinckard hasn't seen action as a position player since April 24, but he's made three appearances on the mound since then, and he is expected to return to the Baylor lineup in the near future.
