BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University senior catcher Matt Rice is one of 42 catchers named to the watch list for the 2011 Coleman Company- Johnny Bench Award, as announced last week.
A native of Johnson City, Tenn., Rice is hitting .397 with 25 hits and 19 RBIs in 15 starts this season. Rice has also tallied eight doubles and drawn eight walks in 63 at bats.
Named to the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team, Rice hit .396 during the 2010 season in 58 games played, including 58 starts. Rice hit 10 home runs and drove in 65 runs. He was also the primary handler for a Hilltopper pitching staff that posted a 4.33 ERA, wich ranked 29th in the nation. Defensively, he threw out nearly 30 percent of potential base stealers.
Rice has played 174 games in his collegiate career, with 159 starts, and has a .378 career batting average with 26 homers and 183 RBIs.
Considered one of the best defensive catchers in the nation, Rice has yet to commit an error on the season and has thrown out three would-be base stealers. For his career, Rice has committed just seven errors and has a .993 fielding percentage.
The list of 42 catchers will be narrowed down to the semifinalists on March 19 and the finalists will be announced on June 6. The winner of the Coleman Company - Johnny Bench Award will be announced on June 30.
