Special to the American Press

DALLAS — LSU junior center fielder Dylan Crews and junior right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes are two of the five finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy.

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the Dick Howser Trophy Committee on Thursday named the finalists for the 36th trophy, awarded annually to the national player of the year.

LSU all-American first baseman Eddy Furniss won the trophy in 1998 after leading the Tigers to a third consecutive College World Series appearance.

The winner will be announced on Thursday and on Friday at a national news conference prior to the 76th College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

Crews, a power-hitting member of LSU’s super regional team, is hitting .432 — third in the country — with a team-high 95 hits in 61 games.

Crews was the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and a member of the SEC All-Defensive team. He was recently named a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award.

Skenes, a fire-balling right-hander and transfer from Air Force, is the SEC Pitcher of the Year, Collegiate Baseball’s Player of the Year and a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. His 179 strikeouts are the most in the nation. He averages 16.6 strikeouts and 11/2 walks for per nine innings.

Skenes (11-2) has an ERA below 1.00 for most of the season and is fourth nationally with a 1.90 standard.