Troy University Athletics
Nelson Named Semifinalist for John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year
4/23/2026 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. - The College Baseball Foundation named Troy's Drew Nelson as one of 15 semifinalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award on Thursday.
Nelson was among the 49 players on the Two-Way Player of the Year Watch List back on March 4, and was tabbed the National Two-Way Player of the Week on April 14.
"Drew has been a tremendous asset to our team as a hitter, defender, and pitcher," head coach Skylar Meade said. "We are happy he is being noticed nationally for what he is doing on a game in, game out basis."Â
The senior outfielder and left-handed pitcher has been one of the Trojans' top hitters this spring, batting .336 with 12 doubles, three homers and 24 RBIs. On the mound, he's made six appearances with a 3.37 ERA and 15 strikeouts to four walks across 10.1 innings.
Nelson put his two-way magic on display during last weekend's series victory over Louisiana. The Troy native homered twice in the series, including a game-tying homer in the bottom of the eighth inning in Sunday's rubber match. He earned the win on the mound after keeping the Cajuns off the board in the ninth before Jimmy Janicki's walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the frame.
Nelson was also the winning pitcher in Troy's 11-inning victory at Texas State to clinch the series on April 14. He went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs at the plate while keeping the Bobcats out of the hit column in the 10th and 11th innings, striking out three. Earlier that week, he made his first start of the season with three perfect innings in a win over Florida A&M.
Troy returns to action this weekend with a three-game series at Marshall Friday through Sunday.
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