NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Coming off a dominant weekend in the South Bend Regional, senior infielder Niko Kavadas was named one of 25 semifinalists for the Golden Spikes Award Tuesday afternoon.
“Niko has been an integral part of our team,” said head coach Link Jarrett. “His consistent power to all fields in key moments has provided us with runs in bunches. His intensity pitch for pitch is great, and the ability to handle a variety of pitches makes him all the more dangerous. We are very proud of him.”
Kavadas tore up the regional at Frank Eck Stadium to help the Irish advance to their first Super Regional since 2002. The Granger, Ind. native hit two home runs in each of the first two games and finished the three game stretch with five home runs, 13 RBI, nine runs and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Regional. His final home run of the regional set the program record for most home runs in a single season with 21.
On the season, Kavadas leads the team in home runs, RBI (62) and slugging percentage (.785). His slugging percentage also holds the top spot in the Notre Dame record book for a single season. He leads the nation in home runs per game at 0.48 and is third in home runs.
The online voting is open here for the semi finalists from now until June 15 and you can vote 25 times a day while the voting is open. The finalists for the award will be announced on June 24. Kavadas and the Irish will head to Starkville, Mississippi this week for the Super Regional against the Bulldogs.
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