RUSTON, La.- Louisiana Tech utility player Ethan Bates has been named a John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Semifinalist as announced by the College Baseball Foundation on Tuesday afternoon.
"Whether they're seasoned upperclassmen or up-and-coming underclassmen, this year's Olerud semifinalists are making a major impact both for their team and on the game itself," said George Watson, chairman of the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year selection committee. "With only a couple weeks left before the NCAA tournament begins, it will be interesting to see how many of these talented players will lead their team into the Field of 64."
Ethan Bates is doing it all for the Bulldogs at the plate and on the mound. The Hot Springs, Arkansas native is batting .324 with 51 hits and 67 RBI this season. Bates has 19 doubles with 16 home runs and has a slugging percentage of .626.
On the mound, Bates has a 3.86 ERA and leads the team in saves with 14. Bates broke the LA Tech single-season saves record against Sam Houston on April 26. He also has 46 strikeouts and 14 walks in 37.1 innings pitched (29 appearances). In his two seasons, Ethan Bates has totaled 24 career saves that rank second All-time in Louisiana Tech history. Bates also had back-to-back ten saves and ten home runs seasons.
The award is named for former Washington State University standout John Olerud, who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s. He was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. The award will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this year.
Of the ten semifinalists for the 2024 award, four of them are making a repeat appearance, having appeared as a 2023 semifinalist. The five finalists for the Olerud Award will be announced during the NCAA tournament. The winner will be announced on June 17.
For more information on the Olerud Award, visit the College Baseball Foundation website at www.collegebaseballhall.org.
2024 JOHN OLERUD TWO-WAY PLAYER OF THE YEAR SEMIFINALISTS
Name Class. School Conference
Ethan Bates Senior Louisiana Tech Conference USA
*Carson Benge Junior Oklahoma State Big 12
*Jac Caglianone Senior Florida SEC
Cameron Jones Sophomore Georgia Tech ACC
Lyle Miller-Green Senior Austin Peay Atlantic Sun
Justin Murray Senior Houston Big 12
DJ Newman Sophomore Bowling Green Mid-American
Erik Paulsen Freshman Stony Brook Coastal Athletic
*Austin Smith Junior San Diego West Coast
*Mitch Voit Sophomore Michigan Big Ten
* -- 2023 semifinalist
