Ball State University Athletics
Dygert Named To Johnny Bench Award Watch List
March 18, 2010 | Baseball
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State senior captain Zach Dygert (Angola, Ind./Angola) has been added to the official watch list of the 2010 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award delivered by Papa John's Pizza, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced Thursday. The Johnny Bench Award is awarded awarded annually to the nation's top collegiate catcher based on athletic ability, sportsmanship, team leadership and character.
Dygert, a 48th round draft pick by the Washington Nationals last season, is a two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection. He finished last season fourth on the team with a .350 batting average as he tallied 69 hits. He was second on the team with 58 RBI and also scored 42 runs.
This season, he is second on the team with 13 RBU and three home runs during the first 16 games of the year. He recorded a big eighth inning home run this season to lead the Cardinals to an upset victory over No. 15 Arkansas in the first weekend of the year.
Dygert is one of four catchers from the MAC on the 2010 Johnny Bench Watch List. He is joined by Toledo's Aaron Dudley, Bowling Green's Tyler Elkins and Akron's John Turk.
The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, whom will be announced May 19, 2010. Ballots will be 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 2 prior to the NCAA Regional and the Major League Baseball Draft. The final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series and will be announced at the 13th annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet July 1, 2010.
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