Southeast Missouri State's Gibson among semifinalists for Dick Howser Trophy

Southeast Missouri State outfielder Derek Gibson was name a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy on Thursday.

The trophy is presented to the top player in all of college baseball and is voted on by National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association members.

Past winners of the award, in its 28th year, include Robin Ventura, J.D. Drew, Mark Teixeira, Mark Prior, David Price and Stephen Strasburg.

Gibson, a senior batting .421, is one of 35 semifinalists for the award. Finalists will be named June 5, and the winner will be announced at the College World Series on June 14.

Gibson ranks second nationally with 66 RBIs and second nationally with 85 hits.

The Redhawks clinched the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title last Friday. While the rest of the conference finishes up league play this weekend, the Redhawks are facing IPFW in a non-conference series.

Thurday's series opener was rained out, so the teams will play a doubleheader beginning at noon today. OVC tournament play begins Thursday for top-seeded Southeast.