TAMPA --- Tusculum College pitcher Craig Goodman has been named a semifinalist for the 2012 Tino Martinez Division II National Player of the Year Award.

Goodman, a senior right-hander from Clearwater, Fla., is one of the 55 semifinalists, and one of eight from the NCAA II Southeast Region. Joining Goodman amongst the regional finalists are Casey Allison (Wingate), Stephen Carmon (USC Aiken), Spencer Jordan (Francis Marion), Kyle Koeneman (Carson-Newman), Coty Pate (Mars Hill), Jacob Rogers (Mount Olive) and Zach Taylor (Armstrong).

Goodman has accounted for one of the best seasons ever by a Tusculum pitcher. He has a 10-0 record in his 12 starts, while posting a 2.09 earned run average, which is the lowest in the South Atlantic Conference and fifth-best in school history.

The 2012 SAC Pitcher of the Year has recorded three complete games this season, while pitching in 86 innings where he has posted 80 strikeouts against 22 walks. The two-time All-SAC First Team selection is limiting the opposition to a .228 batting average and of the 73 hits he has allowed this season, only eight have been of the extra-base variety, including just one home run.

Goodman's 10 wins this year are tied for the third most in a TC single-season, while his 80 strikeouts are tied for the second most and eight shy of the school record of 88 posted by Mark Fraser in 1995.

The Martinez Award winner will be announced after the conclusion of the NCAA II Baseball Championship held in Cary, N.C. from May 26th to June 2nd.

With the regular-season completed, the 2012 South Atlantic Conference champions will sit and await the announcement of the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship bracket, which will be announced this Sunday night at 10 p.m. (EST). TC has already punched its NCAA postseason ticket by winning the SAC Tournament title and the league's automatic bid that comes with it.

TC's 46 wins are the second most in school history and tied for the third most in conference history, matching the 46-win campaign by Wingate in the 1995 season. TC needs one more victory to match Catawba's 47 wins in 2006 and four more to match the 50-14 slate posted by the Pioneers in 2007.

Tusculum's .852 won-loss percentage is on-pace to be a new single-season school and league mark. The school record is .781 by the 2007 squad, while Catawba's 38-7 record in 1992 was good enough for a .844 winning percentage.

- TC -

SOUTHEAST REGION FINALISTS
Last Name First Name Yr Pos School Conference
Allison Casey Sr. OF Wingate South Atlantic
Carmon Stephen Sr. SS USC Aiken Peach Belt
Goodman Craig Sr. RHP Tusculum South Atlantic
Jordan Spencer Jr. RHP Francis Marion Peach Belt
Koeneman Kyle Sr. 1B Carson-Newman South Atlantic
Pate Coty Sr. 1B Mars Hill South Atlantic
Rogers Jacob Sr. 3B Mount Olive Conf Carolinas
Taylor Zach Jr. OF Armstrong Peach Belt