Roberts Named to Brooks Wallace Award Watch List

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Roberts Named to Brooks Wallace Award Watch List

LUBBOCK, Texas- Junior Sam Roberts has been recognized among the top shortstops in the country, as he was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, presented annually to the nation's top player at the position by the College Baseball Foundation, on Tuesday.

Roberts (Prince George, Va./Prince George) ranks among the top 20 in the country with 32 RBIs and 28 runs scored while hitting from the leadoff spot for No. 28 VMI.  The Keydets are off to the best start in program history at 18-2, piecing together separate win streaks of 10 and eight games.

Roberts not only leads the Big South in RBIs, total bases and walks, but is also hitting .388 with five doubles, seven home runs and a .485 on-base percentage.  He ranks second on the team with six stolen bases while also going 3-0 in the weekend pitching rotation.  He has 11 games with multiple hits this season and 10 contests with multiple RBIs, including back-to-back outings with five runs driven in apiece.

On Monday, the Keydets attained the highest ranking the program had ever received, coming in 28th in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Poll.  VMI also gained five votes in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and received votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Poll for the second week in a row.

The Wallace Award, sponsored by Mizuno, recognizes the nation's top shortstop and will be presented on July 2 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of the College Baseball Awards Show.  Roberts was one of two Big South players chosen to the list, being joined by Winthrop freshman Matt Pierpont. 

This marks the first time a VMI player has been named to the Wallace Award Watch List since it was changed from an overall player of the year award to a shortstop-only recognition in 2009.  Former Keydet pitcher Michael Bowman was named to the watch list back in 2008.

The Keydets take on preseason CAA favorites JMU Wednesday evening at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m.  Fans can listen to the game on the VMI Sports Network online at www.VMIKeydets.com. 
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Players Mentioned

Sam Roberts

#4 Sam Roberts

IF/OF/P
6' 1"
Junior
L/R

Players Mentioned

Sam Roberts

#4 Sam Roberts

6' 1"
Junior
L/R
IF/OF/P