Roberts Named To Johnny Bench Award Watch List

Baseball VMIKeydets.com

Roberts Named To Johnny Bench Award Watch List

LEXINGTON, Va.- Junior catcher Mike Roberts, who enjoyed a fantastic series last weekend, has been named to the watch list for the 2008 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award delivered by AT&T and Papa John's Pizza, given annually to the top catcher in the NCAA's Division I.

Roberts (Prince George, Va./Prince George) currently leads the Keydets with his 14 hits (tied), five doubles and 13 RBI, in addition to his .467 batting average. A season ago, made 53 starts behind the plate for the Keydets and set career-highs with a .277 batting average, 13 doubles, two triples, three home runs, a .414 slugging percentage and .349 on-base percentage. He also ranked second in the Big South by throwing out 22 would-be basestealers.

“This is a great recognition for one of the hardest working players in our program,” said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry, a former Keydet catcher. “Last season, Mike caught all but two games for us and has really developed into a great asset for our pitching staff. This is a great honor for him to be listed with so many great players from around the country.”

Roberts went 8-for-17 (.471 AVG) on the four-game weekend against Binghamton and Central Connecticut State last weekend, driving home ten runs in two days as the Keydets went 3-1 on the weekend. In addition, his three-run double in the third game of the weekend and his two-run single in the finale each gave the Keydets the lead for good in their wins.

Roberts becomes the first Keydet to be included on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List in the recognition's nine-year history.

The watch list will be narrowed down to ten semi-finalists, whom will be announced May 14, 2008. Statistics will be compiled on each of the semi-finalists and 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 3, 2008 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 11th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 27, 2008.

The Keydets return to action on Tuesday afternoon, hosting #12 Virginia at Gray-Minor Stadium at 4 p.m. The Keydets then head south for a four-game set at Auburn, set to begin on Thursday evening.
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Players Mentioned

Mike Roberts

#6 Mike Roberts

C
6' 2"
Junior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Mike Roberts

#6 Mike Roberts

6' 2"
Junior
R/R
C