Glens Falls, NY- Nate Recknagel and Chris Shehan were recently named finalists in the field of 50 for the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award.  The honor is given to the nation’s premiere amateur baseball player.  Shehan and Recknagel were both members of the 2006 Golden Eagles.

Recknagel has been tearing up opposing pitching to the tune of a .381 average with 23 homers and 68 runs batted in.  The University of Michigan senior first baseman also carries a .787 slugging percentage.  The Lake Orion, Michigan native has tallied 48 home runs and 200 runs batted in during his career at Ann Arbor.  The wolverine’s 23 homers leaves him at second in the nation among all of Division 1.

Chris Shehan has been equally as impressive for the Georgia Southern Eagles.  The junior outfielder is sporting a .441 batting average, with 22 home runs and a whopping 75 runs batted in to compliment his .845 slugging percentage.  Shehan has also recorded 22 stolen bases and maintained a .960 fielding percentage.  Shehan’s average and slugging percentage were good enough for fourth nationally in Division I.

The award was first given out in 1978, when Bob Horner from Arizona State received the Golden Spikes.  According to USA Baseball, the Golden Spikes “has been presented each year to the player who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship.”  Past winners include current major leaguers Tim Lincecum, Alex Gordon, Mark Kotsay, Rickie Weeks, Khalil Greene, JD Drew and Jason Varitek.