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BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell's Ryan Thompson is one of 30 across college baseball to be named a Senior CLASS Award candidate.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
Thompson picked up three preseason All-America plaudits prior to his senior campaign, with the Sporting News naming the Camel closer to its list, as well as Louisville Slugger (Second Team) and the NCBWA (Third Team).
So far, Thompson owns a 3-0 record with four saves in 12 appearances with 38 strikeouts and just six walks in 30 1/3 innings on the mound.
Thompson, last season's Big South Pitcher of the Year and the 2014 conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year, earned All-America plaudits from Louisville Slugger and the American Baseball Coaches Association after last season's historic campaign.
Baseball America also named Thompson to its list of top-50 college seniors this season.
The Turner, Ore. native led the nation with a Big South and Campbell record 0.88 ERA in 2013, adding a 9-1 record in 71.2 innings pitched over 31 appearances, striking out 57 with 15 walks. The righthander surrendering only seven earned runs and six extra base hits, owning a 29.1 innings pitched streak without a run allowed from April 5-May 18.
Thompson was also an All-Big South First Team and All-Tournament member, and garnered Big South Pitcher of the Week accolades on May 6.
The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2014 College World Series® in June.
For more information on all the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
