March 28, 2011

EASTON, Pa. - Senior A.J. Miller of the Lafayette baseball team has been named to the 2011 Johnny Bench Award Watch List. The award is presented annually to the top catcher in Division I by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.

Miller's .429 batting average and .794 slugging percentage both lead the Patriot League by considerable margins. He is also among the league leaders in on-base percentage (.507) and holds or shares the team high in hits (27), doubles (6), home runs (5), RBI (20), total bases (50) and walks (11). He has started all 18 games for the Leopards - 14 at catcher, three at designated hitter and one at first base.

The 47-member watch list will be narrowed down to 10 semifinalists on May 19. A national panel will vote for three finalists at the end of May, and a final vote by the committee be held during the College World Series. The winner of the 2011 Johnny Bench Award will be announced at the 14th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 30, 2011.