March 4, 2008
University Park, Pa. - Penn State senior catcher Joe Blackburn has been named to the watch list for the 2008 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award delivered by AT&T and Papa John's. The annual Johnny Bench is award is given annually by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission to the top catcher in Division I college baseball. A total of 36 catchers were named to the offical watch list. Blackburn is the only catcher from the Big Ten to be named to the list.
Blackburn is a fifth-year senior who was also named preseason first team All-Big Ten earlier this year by Rivals.com. He was a third team All-Big Ten selection last year after hitting .347 to lead the team in hitting. He also led the team in several other offensive categories last year, including doubles (15), triple (5), extra-base hits (20), RBI (35), total bases (101) and on-base percentage (.400). He was also second on the team in hits and runs and did outstanding work behind the plate, helping the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten-leading 4.05 ERA overall and a 3.41 ERA in Big Ten play.
This year, the native of Sinking Spring, Pa. is off to another good start at the plate as he is hitting .286 with a .333 on-base percentage through the first six games of the year. He has also collected two multiple-hit games in the first six contests.
The watch list for the Johnny Bench Award will be narrowed down to ten semi-finalists, who will be announced on May 14. A national voting panel will then determine the three finalists, who will be announced on June 3 prior to the start of the NCAA Super Regionals and the MLB draft. A final vote will then occur during the College World Series and the winners will be announced at the 11th annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 27.
For more information on the Johnny Bench Award or to view the entire release, visit here.