Eddy Rodriguez Named Semi-Finalist For Johnny Bench Award

May 11, 2006

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami junior catcher Eddy Rodriguez was named one of 10 semi-finalists for the 2006 Coleman Company Johnny Bench Award by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission today. The award is presented annually at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet to the nation’s top collegiate catcher, as voted on by a national voting committee comprised of sportswriters, sportscasters, Division I coaches and scouts.

Rodriguez has started all 42 games he has played in this season and is hitting a career-high .343 and is tied for the team lead with eight home runs. The Coral Gables High School product leads the team with a .612 slugging percentage and has 12 doubles with 28 RBI. Recruited primarily as a defensive catcher prior to coming to Miami, Rodriguez has a .988 fielding percentage and has thrown out 11 runners trying to steal this season.

He is joined by J.P. Arencibia of Tennessee, Ryan Bono of Central Florida, Zach Dillon of Baylor, Jeff Kunkel of Michigan, Matt McBride of Lehigh, Michael McKenry of Middle Tennessee State, Jordan Newton of Western Kentucky, Jake Smith of East Carolina and Chad Tracy of Pepperdine.

A final vote among the national selection committee will occur during the College World Series. All three finalists and their coaches will be invited to Wichita for the 9th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 28, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Wichita. Johnny Bench will present the award to the recipient.

Rodriguez and the 20th-ranked Hurricanes will be in action Friday at 8 p.m. at Mark Light Field against Wake Forest.

For more information on the Johnny Bench Award, please visit http://wichitasports.com/.