| Trent Lockwood |
LUBBOCK ? Senior first baseman Trent Lockwood recently was named to the Brooks Wallace Player of the Year preseason watch list. The Wallace Award is presented to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player in conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s annual induction festivities.
Lockwood had one of the most productive seasons in school history a year ago. The 2007 Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and third-team all-league choice led the team in nearly every offensive category: batting average (.378/No. 3 on UTSA’s single-season list), hits (87/No. 3 on UTSA’s single season list), multi-hit games (30), doubles (UTSA-record and SLC-leading 23), home runs (14/No. 4 on UTSA’s single-season list), RBIs (57/No. 4 on UTSA’s single-season ledger), multi-RBI performances (14), total bases (158), slugging percentage (.687) and on-base percentage (.434). He reached base by hit or walk in all but five games last season, including three hitting streaks of eight or more contests (8, 11, 12). Lockwood was even more impressive in SLC games, hitting .413 with a league-leading 17 doubles, two triples, nine homers, 37 RBIs, 98 total bases, a .810 slugging percentage and .467 on-base percentage. He ranked second in batting average, hits, homers, total bases and slugging percentage.
The Wallace Award is a dedication to the memory of the former Texas Tech player and assistant coach Brooks Wallace. Wallace, a slick-fielding shortstop, was a four-year starter at Texas Tech from 1977-80. He was an All-Southwest Conference and all-district selection his senior year after leading the Red Raiders to their first-ever appearance in the SWC Tournament. After playing two years in the Texas Rangers organization, Wallace returned to Tech and served as a graduate assistant and later as an assistant coach. In summer 1984, he was diagnosed with cancer and fought the disease courageously until his death on March 24, 1985, at the age of 27.
The 2008 award banquet will be held Thursday, July 3, at United Spirit Arena on the campus of Texas Tech.
Previous winners include Vanderbilt pitcher David Price (2007), Houston pitcher/designated hitter Brad Lincoln (2006), Nebraska third baseman Alex Gordon (2005) and Cal State Fullerton catcher Kurt Suzuki (2004).
The defending SLC Champion Roadrunners open the 2008 season on Feb. 22 when they host Oral Roberts in the opening round of the UTSA Baseball Classic at Wolff Stadium.