4/30/2004
WASHINGTON, D.C. ? Georgetown senior catcher Michael Lombardi (Brookhaven Hamlet, N.Y./ St. Anthony's) has been placed on the 45-member Johnny Bench Award watch list, an accolade given to the nation?s top collegiate catcher, by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.
The watch list is compiled from information based on the 2003 season, 2004 pre-season honors and nominations from coaches. The list is updated to include other candidates until May 3, 2004.
Candidates will be narrowed down to ten semi-finalists, who will be announced on May 20, 2004. The national voting panel will select the three finalists at the end of May, and they will be announced on June 3, 2004. Another vote will take place during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita, and the 2004 Johnny Bench Award recipient will be announced at the 7th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 30, 2004.
Lombardi is currently second on the team in hitting with a .335 average, and has nine doubles and five home runs. He is second on the team with 31 runs batted-in, and is tied for the team lead in walks with 23. He is one of five catchers in the BIG EAST on the watch list.
