The following is the first of a 2-part series which will run in each of these last two weeks of the college baseball regular season, breaking down the four major awards that could be won by members of the UK baseball team. This week, I will feature the Lowe’s Senior Class Award and the Golden Spikes Award. Next week, I will feature the Pitcher of the Year Award and the Stopper of the Year Award (nation’s best relief pitcher). The Cats have finalists for all four of these awards, and to give perspective on how big of a deal these awards are, I’ve provided some notable past recipients of each award. Check back next week as I profile more awards and the Cats who could potentially win them.

Senior Class Award Trophy

Lowe’s Senior Class Award: The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award is presented each year to the outstanding senior NCAA Division I Student-Athlete of the Year across ten different sports. The acronym “CLASS” stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®.

Notable Award Alumni: The award has only existed since 2007 in baseball, so there are no well-known award recipients. But in men’s basketball, alumni of the award include Jimmer Fredette, Da’Shaun Butler, and Tyler Hansbrough. In Football, Tim Tebow was a recipient of this award.

Wildcat finalist: Thomas McCarthy (Vote Here): McCarthy maintains a 3.4 GPA in Psychology, is a member of UK’s Student Athletic Advisory Council, a volunteer mentor and coach for handicapped children at the Bluegrass Miracle Baseball League, and a volunteer for God’s pantry and the Salvation Army. On the field, McCarthy is hitting .309 and has driven in 26 RBI for Kentucky.

Strasburg accepts the Golden Spikes Award in 2009.

 Golden Spikes Award: Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. Basically, it’s the equivalent of football’s Heisman Trophy.

Notable Award Alumni: Typically, it doesn’t take long for the winner of this award to get  the major leagues and become a star. The award winners from 2006-2010 are all household names in the major leagues: Tim Lincecum (2006), David Price (2007), Buster Posey (2008), Stephen Strasburg (2009), and Bryce Harper (2010).

Wildcat Finalists: Luke Maile and Trevor Gott: Maile leads the Cats with 11 HR’s and 45 RBI while also posting the 2nd highest batting average on the team at .326. Closer Trevor Gott has a school record 9 saves on the season.

First pitch of today’s UK baseball game vs. Indiana is at 3pm and you can follow the game with @mulloyKSR on Twitter and on his post game recap right here at KSRcollege.com.