May 11, 2009
JACKSON, Miss. -
For the second consecutive season a Southern Miss player was selected as a finalist for the Cellular South Ferriss Trophy, as Brian Dozier was announced today as a finalist for the Mississippi Player of the Year Award.
Former Golden Eagle reliever Tyler Conn was selected as a finalist last season.
Though Dozier's career at Southern Miss came to a premature end, the Major League scouts, college coaches and a media representative who vote on the Boo Ferriss Trophy recognized the brilliant career he has put together.
Dozier injured his shoulder against Jackson State on a play that is typical of the senior from Fulton, Miss. On a ball most players would not have the range to get, Dozier went into shallow left field to snag a ground ball, giving a maximum effort even though Southern Miss had a comfortable 12-1 lead at the time. As he corralled the soft roller he fell on his shoulder, driving it into the turf and suffering the injury.
Dozier will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the black and gold uniform in his brilliant four-year career. He has been a starter since the day he stepped on campus in 2006, starting 221 of the team's 223 games in the middle of the diamond. He missed one start in 2007 to attend a family funeral and one start as a freshman in 2006. His streak of 131 consecutive games started ended because of the injury. Over the streak, he missed only five out of 867 innings the team has played.
Dozier entered the 2009 season as the NCAA active career hit leader and he became only the second player in school history to reach the 300-hit mark, with a single up the middle against Marshall. He will end his career with 307 hits which places him second all-time. He was on pace to break Trey Sutton's school record of 327 hits, which was set last season.
The Golden Eagle record book will reflect the magnificent career Dozier put together as he will finish second in career hits (307), second in career singles (229), tied for sixth in career doubles (55), sixth in career runs (185), seventh in total at-bats (863) and seventh in total bases (424).
The shortstop was in the middle of his best campaign as a Golden Eagle hitting .394 this season (54-137) with 13 doubles, a triple and four home runs. He drove in 39 runs and scored 44 with a .591 slugging percentage and a.491 on base percentage.
While he was impressive at the plate, most will remember Dozier for the Houdini acts pulled off from his shortstop position over the past four years. He recorded 332 putouts and 726 assists over his career.
Joining Dozier as a finalist is Ole Miss pitcher Scott Bittle and Belhaven Pitcher Craig Wescott. The three finalists and their coaches will be present along with the award's namesake, Boston Red Sox and Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer Dave "Boo" Ferriss. A special presentation will be made to retiring Southern Miss coach Corky Palmer.
For ticket information, contact the Museum at 1-800-280-FAME (3263). All proceeds benefit the non-profit Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum.
-southernmiss.com-
