Florida Tech’s John Sternagel Named Semifinalist For National Player of the Year Award

By  //  May 11, 2016

D2 Baseball News Tino Martinez Award

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Chosen from the nearly 300 NCAA Division II programs across the country, Florida Tech shortstop John Sternagel is among the 40 semifinalists still in the mix for the 2016 D2 Baseball News Tino Martinez Award. (FIT Image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Chosen from the nearly 300 NCAA Division II programs across the country, Florida Tech shortstop John Sternagel is among the 40 semifinalists still in the mix for the 2016 D2 Baseball News Tino Martinez Award.

One of six student-athletes from the Sunshine State Conference up for the annual honor named after University of Tampa alum, Olympian and MLB standout, Tino Martinez, Sternagel gives the Panthers their second nominee in as many seasons after former All-American Austin Allen was recognized in 2015.

In his first, and perhaps only season in Crimson and Gray with the MLB Draft approaching, the Rockledge, Florida native has been a constant force atop the Florida Tech lineup as a junior. In 46 starts, Sternagel has posted a .362 batting average to go along with four home runs, 31 RBIs and 53 runs scored. His 32 stolen bases currently lead the SSC, while his 19 doubles are tied for second-most in the league. The University of Florida transfer has also tallied 24 multi-hit games, including a 4-for-6 effort with a home run, double, 5 RBIs, 4 runs scored and 2 stolen bases versus Lynn on Mar. 25.

Seton Hill’s Nick Sell earned the distinction as the Tino Martinez Award winner a year ago.

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Award finalists will be announced just prior to the NCAA Division II Championships, before the winner is unveiled on Monday, June 6.

Sternagel and Florida Tech will return to the diamond for its final regular season series this Friday, May 13 at 6 p.m. ET against SSC foe Eckerd.

For complete coverage and to stay up-to-date with the Panthers, log onto FloridaTechSports.com.