Fresno State Athletics
Russell & Lambert tabbed Olson Award semifinalists
5/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
By: Travis Blanshan
tblanshan@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
Complete list of 2016 Gregg Olson Award Semifinalists
OMAHA, Neb. - Fresno State senior outfielder Brody Russell and junior pitcher Jimmy Lambert are two of 43 semifinalists for the 2016 Gregg Olson Award presented by Toolshed Sports given to college baseball's breakout player of the year announced on Friday.
The Gregg Olson Award is given annually to a top amateur baseball player who elevates his game to an elite level throughout the season.
Russell, who was has been sidelined by injury since April 24, started the year on an offensive tear hitting .415 from the plate over the 'Dogs first 39 games of the season. Appearing in 38 games while making 34 starts, the senior from Bakersfield racked up 56 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 29 runs scored and 35 RBIs. In addition, Russell has .644 slugging percentage and a .460 on-base percentage to lead the 'Dogs in both categories.
Lambert has also put up standout numbers on the mound this season starting the season 10-0 with a 2.22 ERA in 13 starts. A College Baseball Hall of Fame National Pitcher of the Year Award candidate, Lambert has tossed 89.0 innings with 69 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .238 average.
One of only five pitchers in the country with a record of 10-0 or better, Lambert leads the Mountain West in victories (10), runs allowed (25), ranks third in the Mountain West in ERA (2.22) and strikeouts (69), fourth in innings pitched (89.0) and fifth in opposing batting average (.238).
After a freshman season at Auburn filled with only mixed success, Gregg Olson became one of the top collegiate players in the nation during an outstanding, unprecedented sophomore season. Despite being omitted from any preseason All American lists, Olson went on to lead the entire nation in ERA with a 1.26 mark and compiled an incredible 11-1 record with 10 saves for the Tigers.
The Olson Award has been developed to honor college baseball's success stories and showcase players like Olson who have raised the level of their game through hard work, strength of mind and determination. Eligible players will be those who are omitted from major publication's preseason All American prognostications; however by the end of the season their on the field performance will demonstrate that they are among the top amateur baseball players in the nation.
Finalists will be announced during Super Regional action. The winner of the 2016 Gregg Olson Award will be named in Omaha, Nebraska during the College World Series which is to be held this season at TD Ameritrade Park.
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