May 17, 2007
ATLANTA – Yellow Jacket junior Matt Wieters has been named a semifinalist for the 2007 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award, as announced by the Greater Wichita Sports Commission Thursday afternoon.
The award, which is voted on by a national voting committee comprised of sportswriters, sportscasters, Division I baseball coaches and scouts, is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate catcher.
Wieters is leading the Yellow Jackets in home runs (10), RBI (56), total bases (124) and slugging percentage (.639) this season and is second on the team in average (.376), hits (73), runs (42), doubles (17) and on base percentage (.498).
The Goose Creek, SC native leads all ACC catchers in the following categories for league games: average (.389), home runs (0.19/gm), walks (0.96/gm), doubles (0.38/gm), total bases (2.46/gm), OBP (.520) and SLG% (.674).
Other Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award semifinalists include Mitch Canham (Oregon State), Joel Collins (South Alabama), Lars Davis (Illinois), Edward Easley (Mississippi State), Alex Garabedian (College of Charleston), Chris Gradoville (Creighton), Trent Kline (South Carolina), Buster Posey (Florida State) and Tyler Weber (Wichita State).
Statistical information will be compiled on each of the semi-finalists and sent to the national voting committee for a vote to determine the three finalists, which will be announced June 5, 2007. A final vote among the national selection committee will occur during the College World Series. All three finalists and their coaches will be invited to Wichita for the 10th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 27, 2007, where Johnny Bench will present the award to the recipient.
