April 20, 2006

WACO, Texas - Baylor senior catcher Zach Dillon was added to the Watch List for the 2006 Coleman Company Johnny Bench Award, the Greater Wichita [Kan.] Area Sports Commission announced Thursday. Now in its sixth year, the Bench Award is given annually to the nation's top collegiate catcher. The inaugural award was presented to Baylor's Kelly Shoppach in 2001.

A product of Dowling High School in Urbandale, Iowa, Dillon joins Texas Tech's Matt Smith as the only Big 12 catchers on the 34-man list. Ten semifinalists will be announced May 11, and three national finalists will be decided upon by a voting panel and announced May 31.

Dillon leads the Big 12 Conference in walks (37), on base percentage (.527), free passes (42) and times reached base safely (87). He also ranks 10th in the Big 12 with a .378 batting average, a league-best among catchers.

In Big 12 action, Dillon has been even more lethal. He ranks third in the conference with a .440 batting average in league games. Dillon also leads the conference with 11 walks, 14 free passes, 36 times reached base safely and a .537 on base percentage in conference action.

Dillon has reached safely in 26 consecutive Big 12 games and in all but two league contests since the start of the 2005 season. He joins former Baylor catchers Josh Ford and Tyler Bullock to form Baylor's streak of 140 consecutive games in which a catcher has reached safely.

Last season, the Bench Award was presented to Jeff Clement of Southern California.

Baylor returns to action this weekend with the annual split series against Texas A&M. The Bears and the Aggies meet Friday at 3 p.m. CDT at Olsen Field in College Station. The series then shifts to Waco's Baylor Ballpark for Saturday's 6 p.m. contest and Sunday's 2 p.m. series finale.