STARKVILLE – After an incredible 2016 regular season, Mississippi State junior and 2016 First Team All-SEC pitcher Dakota Hudson has been named one of 25 semifinalists for the2016 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, USA Baseball announced Wednesday.

Hudson looks to become the second Bulldog to take home the award given to the top amateur baseball player in the United States. MSU great and MLB All-Star Will Clark took home the trophy in 1985, becoming just the second player in SEC history to walk away with the hardware.

The Dunlap, Tenn., snags the honor after leading his team to its first regular-season Southeastern Conference crown since 1989 and the program’s first-ever national seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Hudson led the way for the Maroon and White on the mound in 2016, posting a 2.35 ERA (3rd in SEC) with 107 strikeouts (T-3rd in SEC). He also tossed the second most innings in the conference with 103 2/3. His nine wins this season are the most by a Bulldog hurler since 2014.

Fans will have the opportunity to vote for Hudson for 39th annual Golden Spikes award by visiting GoldenSpikesAward.com. As part of the selection process, voters will be asked to choose three players from the list of 25 candidates. Voting closes Wednesday, June 8. The award will be presented June 30 in Los Angeles, where finalist and their families will be honored at the Jonathan Club downtown.

Hudson and the No. 6 national seeded Bulldogs begin their pursuit of the program’s 10th College World Series appearance Friday at 1:30 p.m. C.T. against Southeast Missouri in the program’s 35th NCAA Tournament.

Miss. State Sports Information