FROM STAFF REPORTS

OMAHA, Neb. – University of Montevallo sophomore Vinny Rodriguez has been added to the mid-season Tino Martinez NCAA Division II Player of the Year Award watch list, which was released April 14.

Rodriguez joins Montevallo junior Will Fulmer on the watch list. Fulmer was named to the preseason watch list, which was released Feb. 11.

The watch list includes the top NCAA Division II players from across the nation and the award is presented to the most outstanding player in the division at the end of the season. The annual honor is named after the former University of Tampa Spartan, United States Olympian, first-round draft pick and Major League Baseball All-Star, Tino Martinez.

Semifinalists for the award will be selected May 6.

Rodriguez, the Falcons’ 6-foot designated hitter, leads the team with a .392 batting average this season. Rodriguez currently has 60 hits and 22 extra-base hits, including a team-high six homers this season. Rodriguez has also driven in a team-high 40 runs this season.

Rodriguez owns a team-high .614 slugging percentage and a team-high .475 on-base percentage.

Fulmer is batting .362 with one homer and 21 RBIs this season. The 5-foot-10 second baseman, who has stolen a team-high 14 bases in 16 attempts this season, is second on the team with a .459 on-base percentage.

Rodriguez and his teammates return to action Wednesday, April 27 with a trip to Florence, Ala. to face the University of North Alabama in a non-conference game.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m.