DURHAM, N.C. – William and Mary baseball junior Michael Katz was named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, announced this afternoon by USA Baseball. Katz becomes one of the 21-semifinalist, and is the only Colonial Athletic Association player in contention for the Golden Spikes Award. He is also one of two players from the state of Virginia to be named a semifinalist.

The Falls Church, Virginia native finished the season with a .363 batting average, 87 hits, 24 doubles, a triple, 14 home runs, scored 64 runs, and had a school record 75 RBIs. He posted a .646 slugging percentage, and a .445 on-base percentage. He ranks sixth in the country in doubles, seventh in home runs, sixth in runs scored, 10th in slugging percentage, second in RBIs, and fourth total bases.

Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. Katz is William and Mary's first Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist.

USA Baseball officials will announce the list of finalists for the 2014 Golden Spikes Award on Tuesday, June 3. To select the finalists, the list of semifinalists is sent to a voting body consisting of past Golden Spikes Award winners, past USA Baseball National Team coaches and press officers, members of media that closely follow the amateur game, select professional baseball personnel, and current USA Baseball staff, representing a group of more than 200 voters in total.

Fan voting will once again be a part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2014. This announcement officially marks the opening of voting for amateur baseball fans from across the country on GoldenSpikesAward.com. As part of this selection process, all voters will be asked to choose three players from the list of names. Voting will be open until Friday, May 30.