Griffin Benedict one of 13 Semifinalists for Bench Award
5/14/2009 8:51:00 PM | Baseball
WICHITA, Kansas ? Georgia Southern University senior Griffin Benedict (Dunwoody/St. Pius) was one of 13 semifinalists named for the 2009 Coleman Company Johnny Bench Award delivered by Papa John's Pizza. The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced the list on Thursday (May 14).
The award 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 continues to lead the Eagles batting .414 with 54 runs scored, 51 RBI, 29 walks, 22 hit by pitches and only 21 strikeouts. His batting average is third-highest among all the final 13 catchers, and he owns the highest on-base percentage (.536) and hit by pitches.
Not only has Benedict hit 10 homers and 14 doubles, he has stolen 7-of-7 bases and recorded a .990 fielding percentage.
Benedict has thrown out 21-of-57 runners trying to steal and shares the team lead with three pickoffs.
2009 JOHNNY BENCH AWARD WATCH LIST
Buck Afenir, University of Kansas;
Billy Alvino, High Point University;
Griffin Benedict, Georgia Southern University;
Dave Burkhart, Ohio State University;
Jeffrey Farnham, New Mexico State University;
Mark Fleury, University of North Carolina;
Chris Henderson, George Mason University;
Greg Lagreid, Washington State University;
Francis Larson; University of California ? Irvine;
Josh Phegley, University of Indiana;
Tony Sanchez, Boston College;
Matt Williams, Duke University;
J.T. Wise, University of Oklahoma
