OMAHA, Neb. – University of South Carolina Aiken senior shorstop Stephen Carmon has been chosen as a semifinalist for the 2012 Tino Martinez Award.

The award is presented to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division II college baseball. The annual honor is named after the former University of Tampa Spartan, United States Olympian, First-Round draft pick and Major League Baseball All-Star, Tino Martinez.

The 55 semifinalists represent 48 different schools from across the nation. Each of the eight geographic regions are represented, with a minimum of six players selected from each area.

Initial nominations for the award were made by baseball sports information contacts and media members. A panel of media, coaches and sports information officers will be polled to finalize the candidates. The group will once again vote on the finalists, with a fan Internet vote also contributing to the crowning of the winner.

The finalists are scheduled to be named on Monday, May 21. The winner will be announced after the conclusion of the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship held in Cary, N.C. from May 26-June 2nd.

Carmon was recently tabbed as a 2012 Second-Team All-Peach Belt Conference selection. Carmon is now a two-time All-Peach Belt Conference choice, as he was also chosen all-league last season.

The senior from Camden, S.C. is currently leading the Peach Belt Conference with 45 stolen bases. The 45 stolen bases leave him in the top-5 in the nation in the category. Carmon is the all-time leader in stolen bases at USC Aiken.

Carmon is currently listed as the third toughest to strike out in all of NCAA Division II. He has only six strikeouts in 2012.

The 2011 All-Region selection is presently hitting .344 (72-for-209). The 2009 Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year has scored a team-best 53 runs this season.

The 2012 preseason All-American has 27 RBIs to go along with 22 multiple hit games.

 2012 Tino Martinez Award Semifinalists - Click Link to Access