HAMPTON, Va. – Former Peninsula Pilots infielder Greg Rohan has been named to the 2009 Golden Spikes Award Watch List. The award, presented annually by USA Baseball and sponsored by Major League Baseball, recognizes the nation’s top collegiate baseball player.

Rohan made his presence felt on the national stage last spring during in his junior season at Kent State University. The first baseman was named 2008 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and was a Louisville Slugger All-America selection. He hit .355 with 61 RBI’s and posted a .772 slugging percentage for the Golden Flashes, while his 20 home runs was the second highest single season total in school history. 

A member of last year’s Peninsula squad that reached the semifinals of the Petitt Cup Tournament, Rohan contributed an important offensive presence for the Pilots in his only season with the club. The North Lima, Ohio native hit .288 in 43 games with 11 doubles, four home runs and 29 RBI’s.

Rohan was one of only three Coastal Plain League alums named to the 50-player watch list, joining former Asheboro third baseman Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) and Thomasville third baseman Rich Poythress (Georgia).

On May 26, USA Baseball officials will cut the watch list of players to 30 names. The final list of 30 will then be sent to a voting body consisting of select professional baseball personnel, past USA Baseball National Team coaches, select members of the media, former USA Baseball sports information directors, and current USA Baseball staff - close to 150 voters in total. 

Fan voting will once again be a part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2009. May 26 will also mark the day when college baseball fans from across the country will be able to vote for their favorite player for the Golden Spikes Award on www.goldenspikesaward.com. As part of this selection process all voters will be asked to choose five players from the list of 30 names. On June 2, USA Baseball will announce the five finalists, and voting will once again commence that same day.

The 2009 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award will be presented nationally July 15 on an award show via live telecast from St. Louis in conjunction with the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Weekend Festivities.

Past winners of the Golden Spikes Award include Terry Francona (1980), Will Clark (1985), Robin Ventura (1988), Jason Varitek (1994), J.D. Drew (1997), Mark Prior (2001), Jered Weaver (2004), Tim Lincecum (2006), David Price (2007), and last year's winner Buster Posey (2008).