Griffin Benedict Remains on Johnny Bench Award Watch List

WICHITA, Kansas – The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission added six catchers to the official watch list for the 2009 Coleman Company Johnny Bench Award delivered by Papa John’s Pizza. Georgia Southern University senior Griffin Benedict (Dunwoody/St. Pius) remained on the list.

Benedict is one of 53 on the list, and one of three representing the Southern Conference.

The watch list will be narrowed down to 10 semifinalists, whom will be announced May 14, 2009. Statistics will be compiled on each of the semifinalists and sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists.

The finalists will be announced June 3, 2009 prior to the NCAA Super Regionals and Major League Baseball Draft. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 12th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 26, 2009.

As of last week, Benedict was ranked the top catcher in the country by Rivals.com. The Third Team Preseason All-America is having another stellar season at the plate and behind it.

Benedict currently ranks fourth in the SoCon in batting average (.412) and on-base percentage (.535) while leading the way with 20 hit by pitches. The senior also has scored 49 runs, driven in 46 and walked (27) more times than he has struck out (18).

Defensively, Benedict owns a .990 fielding percentage and has thrown out 20-of-54 runners trying to steal (second-most in the league). He is tied for third in the league with three pickoffs.

2009 Johnny Bench Award Watch List
Buck Afenir  SR, University of Kansas
Billy Alvino  SR, High Point University
Jeff Arnold  JR, University of Louisville
Jared Avchen JR, East Carolina University
Brett Basham  SR, University of Mississippi
Matt Behren SR, University of Northern Illinois
Dan Benedetti  SR, St. John's University
Griffin Benedict  SR, Georgia Southern University
Dan Burkhart  SO, Ohio State University
Tony Caldwell SO, Auburn University
Ryan Cisterna  SR, University of Arkansas
Nick Criaris SR, Florida Atlantic Universiity
David Doss  SR, University of South Alabama
Aaron Dudley JR, The University of Toledo
Scott Dunwoody  SR, University of Dayton
Jeffrey Farnham  SR, New Mexico State University
Mark Fleury  JR, University of North Carolina
Stephen Flora  SR, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
Blake Forsyth  SO, University of Tennessee
Taylor Freeman  JR, McNeese State
Micah Gibbs  SO, Louisiana State University
Andrew Giobbi  JR, Vanderbilt University
Jason Haniger SR, Georgia Tech
Chris Henderson JR, George Mason University
Bryan Holaday  JR, Texas Christian University
Errol Hollinger  SR, Liberty University
Aaron Johnson JR, University of Illinois
Richard Jones JR, The Citadel
Mark Kelly  SR, Southern Illinois University
Reid Kraiser SR, UNC Asheville
Greg Lagreid  SR, Washington State University
Ryan Lipkin  JR, University of San Francisco
Myckie Lugbauer  JR, Univesity of Maine
Tommy Medica  JR, Santa Clara University
Marc Mimeault SR, Georgia State University
Mike Murray JR, Wake Forest University
John Murrian  JR, Winthrop University
Rafael Neda  SO, University of New Mexico
Jeff Nolet,  SR, University of Vermont
Bryce Nugent  SO, Marist College
Joe Oliveira  SR, University of the Pacific
Ryan Ortiz  JR, Oregon State University
John Parham  SR, Cal State Northridge
Josh Phegley JR, Indiana Univeristy
Brandon Romans  SR, University of Central Florida
Tony Sanchez  JR, Boston College
Jeremy Schaffer FR, Tulane University
Tobias Streich  SO, West Virginia University
Dallas Tarleton  SR, Elon University
Michael Thomas  JR, Southern University
John Turk  JR, The University of Akron
Matt Williams  SR, Duke University
J.T. Wise SR, University of Oklahoma

Category: Baseball

Published on Tuesday, 05 May 2009 10:10