By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech designated hitter Ryan Flick added his name to a list of a select few, being named one of just five finalists for the 2017 Gregg Olson Award presented by Toolshed Sports, an honor that recognizes college baseball's breakout player of the year. The annual award is given to a top amateur baseball player who elevates his game to an elite level throughout the season.

After a freshman season at Auburn filled with only mixed success, Gregg Olson became one of the top collegiate players in the nation during an outstanding, unprecedented sophomore season. Despite being omitted from any preseason All American lists, Olson went on to lead the entire nation in ERA with a 1.26 mark and compiled an incredible 11-1 record with 10 saves for the Tigers.

Following a summer pitching for the USA National Team where he led the club in strikeouts, Olson returned to Auburn for another spectacular season. He led the SEC with a 2.00 ERA and amassed a triple-digit strikeout total, issuing 113 K's in only 72 innings with only 27 walks. He finished his collegiate career with back-to-back First Team All American honors, a 25-7 record, 3.03 ERA, 20 saves, 271 strikeouts and redefined the way college coaches used their top pitcher.

The Olson Award has been developed to honor college baseball's success stories and showcase players like Olson who have raised the level of their game through hard work, strength of mind and determination. Eligible players will be those who are omitted from major publication's preseason All American prognostications; however by the end of the season their on the field performance will demonstrate that they are among the top amateur baseball players in the nation.

The Ohio Valley Conference's 2015 Rookie of the Year, Flick fought through a foot injury during the 2016 campaign, finishing with a .256 average, 29 runs, eight doubles, eight home runs and 39 RBI. He bounced back in the biggest way possible in 2017, batting .377 with 61 runs scored, 24 doubles, 19 home runs and 74 RBI.

Named to the All-OVC Second Team, Flick took home OVC Tournament MVP honors after clubbing five home runs and 16 RBI in three games. He also took home All-American Second Team honors from Collegiate Baseball newspaper and was named a semifinalist for the Gregg Olson Award earlier this month.

The winner of the 2017 Gregg Olson Award will be named in Omaha, Neb. during the College World Series which is to be held this season at TD Ameritrade Park.

For more information visit: olsonaward.com

Photo by Tony Marable