Abbott named semifinalist for Golden Spikes Award

Andrew Abbott has been named as one of 25 semifinalists for the Golden Spikes Award, annually bestowed on the top amateur baseball player of the year. Fan voting will once again be a part of the award and is open until June 15.

Abbott (Republican Grove, Va.) is the ninth semifinalist in program history, the fourth-most of any college baseball program. Virginia has been represented in eight different years, tied for the third-most in the NCAA. Abbott is the first semifinalist since the duo of Adam Haseley and Pavin Smith were included on the prestigious list in 2017. All nine semifinalist in UVA history have played under head coach Brian O’Connor.

The Virginia ace ranks third in the country with 144 strikeouts, the third most ever in a single season by a Cavalier pitcher. A First Team All-ACC selection, Abbott delivered down the stretch tossing 31-straight scoreless innings. He did not allow a run in four-straight starts that featured 6.1 scoreless against top-seeded Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament. He had five starts in 2021 where he fanned 10 or more batters, including a career-high 16 batters in 7.1 innings of a combined no-hitter against Wake Forest.

The lefthander entered the NCAA Tournament atop the ACC leaderboard in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. One of the top relievers in the country prior to the 2021 season, Abbott converted to a starter and has compiled 309 career strikeouts in four seasons, only the second UVA pitcher ever to reach the 300 strikeout plateau.

Fans from across the country will be able to vote on GoldenSpikesAward.com.

The winner of the 43rd Golden Spikes Award will be named in July. To stay up-to-date on the 2021 Golden Spikes Award visit GoldenSpikesAward.com and follow @USAGoldenSpikes on Twitter and Instagram.