
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Brown Earns John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Week Honors
2/25/2025 11:32:00 AM | Baseball
Presented annually by the College Baseball Foundation to honor the nation’s top combo pitcher-position player
Houston-Rice freshman outfielder and pitcher Blaine Brown has been named the first John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Week for 2025 by the College Baseball Foundation.
Brown, who had hit in each of his first five games as a collegian, hit .273 in three games last week at Reckling Park as the Owls went 2-1 vs. Sam Houston and USC. He had a pair of doubles and also walked twice at the plate. He did not allow a run in 1.2 innings in a pair of appearances on the mound while striking out four.
Each week the CBF recognizes weekly award winners in conjunction with the Brooks Wallace Award, John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award and the National Pitcher of the Year Award.
The John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award was created in 201 and is presented annually by the College Baseball Foundation to honor the nation's top combo pitcher-position player. Olerud, who was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, was a standout pitcher and first baseman at Washington State University from 1987 through 1989.
Jac Caglianone of Florida won the award last year.
Brown and the Owls will be back in action at Reckling Park on Wednesday when they host Arizona at 6:30 and then face off against #16 Mississippi State, #2 Tennessee, and #1 Texas A&M this weekend during the Astros Foundation College Classic at Daikin Park.
About the College Baseball Foundation
The purpose of the College Baseball Foundation (CBF) is to preserve, elevate, and advance the game; to inspire the next generation; to teach those who love college baseball about its rich history and traditions; to celebrate those who make college baseball special; and to honor those who have come before us, and built the foundation upon which college baseball thrives today.
The College Baseball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Support for the College Baseball Hall of Fame will help preserve the rich history of the sport for future generations. All donations to the College Baseball Hall of Fame are tax deductible and can be made via this link on the organization's website.
The CBF presents the Brooks Wallace Award (Nation's Most Outstanding Shortstop), the National Pitcher of the Year, the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year, the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year, the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence Award.
About the College Baseball Hall of Fame
Each year, more than 190 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body comprises national and regional college baseball media, active and retired coaches, former players, former inductees, college baseball historians, and members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2006. Since that time, 165 players, coaches, umpires, administrators and contributors have been selected for induction. Click here for a full list of College Baseball Hall of Fame classes. The College Baseball Hall of Fame will establish a physical location in Overland Park, Kansas in early 2026. Located within the iconic Museum at Prairiefire, the College Baseball Hall of Fame will serve as a shared community asset, deepening connections to the nation's favorite pastime through a dynamic and ever-evolving space for college baseball enthusiasts to celebrate the sport's rich past, present, and future.
Brown, who had hit in each of his first five games as a collegian, hit .273 in three games last week at Reckling Park as the Owls went 2-1 vs. Sam Houston and USC. He had a pair of doubles and also walked twice at the plate. He did not allow a run in 1.2 innings in a pair of appearances on the mound while striking out four.
Each week the CBF recognizes weekly award winners in conjunction with the Brooks Wallace Award, John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award and the National Pitcher of the Year Award.
The John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award was created in 201 and is presented annually by the College Baseball Foundation to honor the nation's top combo pitcher-position player. Olerud, who was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, was a standout pitcher and first baseman at Washington State University from 1987 through 1989.
Jac Caglianone of Florida won the award last year.
Brown and the Owls will be back in action at Reckling Park on Wednesday when they host Arizona at 6:30 and then face off against #16 Mississippi State, #2 Tennessee, and #1 Texas A&M this weekend during the Astros Foundation College Classic at Daikin Park.
About the College Baseball Foundation
The purpose of the College Baseball Foundation (CBF) is to preserve, elevate, and advance the game; to inspire the next generation; to teach those who love college baseball about its rich history and traditions; to celebrate those who make college baseball special; and to honor those who have come before us, and built the foundation upon which college baseball thrives today.
The College Baseball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Support for the College Baseball Hall of Fame will help preserve the rich history of the sport for future generations. All donations to the College Baseball Hall of Fame are tax deductible and can be made via this link on the organization's website.
The CBF presents the Brooks Wallace Award (Nation's Most Outstanding Shortstop), the National Pitcher of the Year, the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year, the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year, the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence Award.
About the College Baseball Hall of Fame
Each year, more than 190 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body comprises national and regional college baseball media, active and retired coaches, former players, former inductees, college baseball historians, and members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2006. Since that time, 165 players, coaches, umpires, administrators and contributors have been selected for induction. Click here for a full list of College Baseball Hall of Fame classes. The College Baseball Hall of Fame will establish a physical location in Overland Park, Kansas in early 2026. Located within the iconic Museum at Prairiefire, the College Baseball Hall of Fame will serve as a shared community asset, deepening connections to the nation's favorite pastime through a dynamic and ever-evolving space for college baseball enthusiasts to celebrate the sport's rich past, present, and future.
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