LUBBOCK, Texas – Gardner-Webb senior Ryan Hodge is one of 47 student-athletes named to the initial 2015 Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award Watch List.

The award, sponsored by Mizuno, will be presented during the National College Baseball Hall of Fame's Night of Champions on June 29 in Lubbock, Texas.

A total of 23 conferences are represented on the list. Hodge (Matthews, N.C. / Butler HS) is one of three shortstops on the list who play for Big South Conference programs.

Hodge is in his fourth season as the starter at shortstop for the Runnin' Bulldogs, and has been one of the most steady and spectacular defensive performers in the program's history.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound standout has also made a strong impact at the plate and has seen his power numbers improve as a senior in 2015. Through 44 games, Hodge has a career-high three home runs, 11 doubles and 15 extra base hits. He is approaching a new career-best mark in RBI as well.

Hodge is batting a team-high .298 this season, with 51 hits, 28 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. He has driven in 20 runs and has a career-best .427 slugging percentage so far.

For his career, Hodge is batting a solid .286 with 61 stolen bases, 203 hits, 119 runs scored and 80 RBI. He has a career on-base percentage of .360 and has 41 career extra base hits (31 doubles).

Hodge has few equals defensively at the position, displaying tremendous range, smooth mechanics and a strong arm. He ranks second in Gardner-Webb history with 120 double plays turned and ranks first with 589 assists. He is fielding a career-high .970 so far this season – with only six errors in 199 total chances in 2015.

Hodge was a second-team All-Big South selection in 2012 as a freshman and earned a spot on the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America team that same season.

Gardner-Webb travels to play Charlotte on Tuesday, April 28. First pitch is set for 6:00 pm.