Benedict Named to Johnny Bench Award Watch List

WICHITA, Kansas – The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced 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) is one of the 44 catchers nationwide nominated.

The list will be updated to include other candidates until May 4, 2009. The watch list will be narrowed down to ten 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.

Benedict entered the week third in the SoCon and currently leads the Eagles hitting at a .426 clip. He has scored 17 runs with three doubles, two home runs, 14 RBI and is 4-of-4 in stolen bases.

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.

Johnny Bench presented Florida State catcher, Buster Posey, with the award last June in Wichita, Kansas. Jason Castro of Stanford University and Dock Doyle of Coastal Carolina were the other finalists for the award.

“We are extremely appreciative of the Coleman Company, Rawlings and Papa John’s Pizza being the sponsors of this prestigious award,” stated Bob Hanson, President/CEO of the Sports Commission. “They are the ones who make all of this possible.
 
"We are grateful that Johnny Bench is the namesake for our award because he is, without a doubt, the greatest catcher to ever play the game," Hanson said. "We are very excited to have someone of his caliber support our efforts in honoring the accomplishments of these college players.”

2009 Coleman Company - Johnny Bench Award delivered by Papa John’s Pizza Watch List
Buck Afenir  SR, University of Kansas
Billy Alvino  SR, High Point University
Jeff Arnold  JR, University of Louisville
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
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
Stephen Flora  SR, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
Taylor Freeman  JR, McNeese State
Micah Gibbs  SO, Louisiana State University
Andrew Giobbi  JR, Vanderbilt University
Jason Haniger SR, Georgia Tech
Bryan Holaday  JR, Texas Christian University
Errol Hollinger  SR, Liberty University
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
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
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

Category: Baseball

Published on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 00:08