University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond's Billy Barber Added To Olerud Two-Way Player Watch List
05/10/2010 | Baseball
May 10, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND - Junior Billy Barber, a standout pitcher and position player for the University of Richmond baseball team, was one of 25 players selected from across the country named to the "watch list" for the 2010 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award.
The Olerud Award is presented by the College Baseball Foundation and recognizes a player who makes an impact both on the mound and at the plate. It will be presented in Lubbock, Texas, on July 2 as part of the College Baseball Awards Show.
Barber, who is currently leading the Spiders both at the plate (.369 average) and on the mound (2.51 ERA), has played in all 46 games for Richmond - making 45 starts either in left field or as the designated hitter, and appearing 20 times as a reliever.
"We're very excited to present the inaugural Olerud Award this year," said Randy Norman, Olerud Award committee co-chair. "John Olerud was a great two-way player at Washington State and we look forward to honoring a player who will carry on that legacy."
Already five times this season, Barber has provided the winning RBI and picked up the pitching decision (two wins, three saves) in the same game.
The 6-5, 230-pound junior currently leads the club in doubles (17), on-base percentage (.479) and runs (49), is ranked second in slugging percentage (.631), RBIs (45) and stolen bases (15), and third in home runs (nine).
On the mound as a closer, Barber has posted a 4-3 record and has accounted for four of the team's seven saves. The righty sidewinder has fanned 18 in 28.2 innings of work and opponents are hitting just .237 off him.
Barber is ranked among the Atlantic 10 Conference leaders in batting average, runs, doubles, steals and on-base percentage, saves and appearances. His 23-game hitting streak that ended in late-April is the A-10's best and among the longest by any Division-I player this season.
The Fredericksburg, Va. native is one of two players from the A-10 to earn mention, joining Duquesne's CF/RHP Andrew Heck. Barber and Heck tangled this weekend in Pittsburgh, with Barber homering off Heck in the 10th inning Friday for the winning run, and picking up the win. Sunday, Heck singled then scored the winning run off Barber in the ninth inning.
Richmond is 22-24 and battles VMI Tuesday night in Lexington, Va.
