Wake Forest Athletics
Breazeale Named Johnny Bench Award Semifinalist
5/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeBaseball)
WICHITA, Kan. – Wake Forest senior Ben Breazeale was named a semifinalist for the 2017 Johnny Bench Award by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission on Wednesday evening.
The award, presented by BaseballSavings.com, is given to the top collegiate catcher in the nation.
Breazeale is one of 15 semifinalists up for the honor, including one of two from the ACC. He's joined by Georgia Tech's Joey Bart.
A three-time member of the watch list for the award, Breazeale becomes a semifinalist for the first time.
The Pigeon Forge, Tennessee native ranks tied for second on the team with a .354 average to go along with 15 doubles, six homers and 42 RBIs.
Behind the plate, he has thrown out six of the 16 runners who have tried to steal against him, and maintains a .992 fielding percentage.
In his career, Breazeale ranks seventh in program history with 111 walks. He's a lifetime .278 hitter in 182 games, with 35 doubles, 11 homers and 97 RBIs.
The three finalists will be announced June 5, 2017. 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 20th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 29.
Johnny Bench Award Semifinalists
Riley Adams, San Diego
David Banuelos, Long Beach State
Joey Bart, Georgia Tech
Ben Breazeale, Wake Forest
Brent Diaz, Louisiana Tech
Troy Dixon, St. John's
Grant Koch, Arkansas
Renae Martinez, Oklahoma
Adam McGinnis, Western Illinois
Dominic Miroglio, San Francisco
Joey Morgan, Washington
Daulton Varsho, Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Travis Watkins, East Carolina
Matt Whatley, Oral Roberts
Hunter Wood, Western Kentucky
