ROHNERT PARK -- Sonoma State University senior Harmen Sidhu, who set a program and California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) record for best single-season earned run average and led the nation in that same category this season, has been named the recipient of the 2013 Tino Martinez Award, which is presented each year to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division II baseball, it was announced Monday by College Baseball Lineup.

Equivalent to the Heisman Trophy awarded annually to the best Division I football player, the prestigious award is named after the former University of Tampa Spartan, United States Olympian, first round draft pick and Major League Baseball All-Star, Tino Martinez.  In fact, Tino himself made the call to Sidhu on Monday morning to personally congratulate him on winning the award.

In 13 starts this season, Sidhu went 10-1 with a 0.98 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 82.2 innings of work, allowing just 47 hits, 11 runs (nine earned) and 23 walks.  His ERA was tops in Division II and it is the first time in the storied history of Sonoma State baseball -- and the CCAA for that matter -- that a starting pitcher has recorded an ERA under 1.00.  Most impressively, Sidhu, from Martinez, Calif., gave up just five extra base hits (four doubles and one triple) to the 323 batters he faced in 2013.

The 6-foot-1 right-hander ends his two-year stint in the Seawolf blue as arguably the program's best pitcher, breaking the all-time record for lowest ERA (1.56) and lowest opponent batting average (.186), compiling a 17-2 record in 25 career appearances (all starts).  In 150 total innings, he allowed 99 hits (including 14 doubles, one triple and one home run), 33 runs (26 earned) and 48 walks while striking out 161 batters, which is fourth on the program's all-time list in that category.

After the season, Sidhu was named to First Team All-CCAA, First Team All-West Region and earned First Team All-America honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and was a Second Team All-America selection by Daktronics, Inc.

In addition to his stellar play on the field, Sidhu was outstanding in the classroom as well.  For posting a 3.54 grade point average in communications, he was named to the 2013 Capital One Division II Academic All-District® Baseball Team, which was selected by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in May.

Sidhu won a closely contested award and became the first pither to win the honor, edging fellow hurler Minnesota State's Harvey Martin and Nebraska-Kearney's Brian Wuest who finished second and third, respectively. Seton Hill's Nick Sell and Columbus State's Cameron Scott completed the top five.

A total of 10 finalists were named for the 2013 award -- Mike Adams, Tampa (Jr., LHP); Matt Dillon, Mount Olive (Jr., RHP); Grant Fink, Missouri Western State (Sr., 3B); Trevor Graham, Franklin Pierce (Jr., RHP); Harvey Martin, Minnesota State (Sr., RHP); Kyle Petty, Cal U (Sr., UTL); Cameron Scott, Columbus State (Sr., 1B); Nick Sell, Seton Hill (So., 3B); HARMEN SIDHU, SONOMA STATE (Sr., RHP); Brian Wuest, Nebraska Kearney (Sr., 1B/OF).

Initial nominations for the award were made by baseball sports information contacts and media members.  A panel of media, coaches, sports information officers and former players voted to determine the finalists and the winner.  A fan Internet vote also contributed to the final vote.

For more information about the Tino Martinez Award, visit www.tinomartinezaward.com.