EAST LANSING-It’s been a remarkable season on the mound for Junior Joseph Dzierwa, and his stellar season has not gone unnoticed. 

Dzierwa is a semifinalist for the NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy, which is awarded to the top player in all of college baseball.  Dzierwa is the second Spartan in the last three years to be nominated for this award, joining first baseman Brock Vradenburg in 2023. 

Dzierwa is one of 67 players in the country and one of seven in the Big Ten to be a semifinalist this season.  Dzierwa ranks second in the Big Ten with 94 strikeouts, which also ranks 33rd in the country. 

Dzierwa leads the Big Ten with a 2.01 ERA, good enough for 6th in the NCAA.  He also leads the Big Ten in WHIP at .93 and is second in hits allowed per nine innings at 6.25. 

Dzierwa is the first Spartan pitcher to be named Big Ten pitcher of the week four times. He is also the first Spartan ever to be named player of the week back-to-back weeks, which he has done twice. 

Dzierwa has proved himself time and time again, most notably over the last two weeks.  Dzierwa pitched a complete game shutout against an Oregon team that was ranked 6th in the NCAA, surrendering just three hits and striking out 11 without a walk.  Dzierwa then followed this stellar outing with seven shutout innings against No. 25 USC.  Against the Trojans Dzierwa allowed just 2 hits and no walks while striking out eight. 

The finalists for the award will be announced on June 7, and the winner will be announced June 13 in Omaha Nebraska during the College World Series. 

The Spartans look to build some momentum heading into the Big Ten Tournament, where Dzierwa will almost certainly get the nod on the mound.