Millersville, Pa. - College Baseball Lineup and D2BaseballNews.com has introduced a new national baseball award, and Millersville's Zach Stone is a semifinalist. The Josh Willingham Award honors Division II baseball's most valuable player. Stone is one of 28 players in the running for the award.

The Josh Willingham Award recognizes the player who not only excels on the field, but in the dugout, clubhouse and practice field, leading his team to a national championship caliber status. Only players that are members of NCAA Tournament teams can be selected as a semifinalist.

The award is named in the honor of the former University of North Alabama standout, who is currently in his 10th season as a Major League Baseball player.

Stone is one of only three players from the Atlantic Region to make the list. The PSAC East Athlete of the Year is a former walk-on, and leads the Marauders with an outstanding work ethic and energy on and off the field. His production is outstanding, leading the PSAC in on base percentage at .517. His .413 batting average puts him on pace to be the first Marauder since 2002 to hit .400 in a season. He also leads the team with homer runs (5), walks (25) and slugging percentage (.582). He also ranks in the PSAC's top 10 in RBIs (43) and doubles (16).

Stone is also perfect in the field in 53 games at first base. He has continually proven to be at his best when it matters most. He is hitting .348 with runners in scoring position. Through five postseason games, Stone is batting .412 with four runs, three walks, three hit-by-pitches and three RBIs.

The candidates for the award were selected by a panel of sports information directors and media members. Once a group of finalists is selected, a panel will vote again and a fan Internet vote is planned. The finalists will be named on Monday, May 20, and the winner will be announced after the Division II Baseball Championship. Stone's teammate Chris Murphy is also a finalist for the Tino Martinez Award.