May 24, 2006

WACO, Texas -- Baylor catcher Zach Dillon was named Big 12 Conference Player of the Year by the San Antonio Express-News, the publication announced Wednesday. Dillon was the Express-News' first-team selection at catcher, while shortstop Beamer Weems was a second-team honoree.

Elsewhere, Dillon was named first-team all-conference by The Dallas Morning News, while left fielder Seth Fortenberry was a second-team selection. Dillon also was named first-team all-Big 12 by the Austin American-Statesman.

Dillon, a senior from Urbandale, Iowa, finished the regular season as the Big 12 leader in batting average at .396. He also led the league with a .421 average in Big 12 games, the highest Big 12 average in Baylor history. A semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award as the nation's top catcher, Dillon leads the Big 12 in walks (49), free passes (55), times reached base safely (127) and on base percentage (.525).

Weems, a true freshman from Virginia Beach, Va., hit .285 on the season with four home runs, 11 doubles, five triples and 37 RBI. He hit .323 in Big 12 play with two home runs, eight doubles, two triples and 18 RBI. Most impressive about Weems, though, was his defense. Weems committed only one error in 26 conference games, playing an errorless shortstop for the conference season's final 18 games. He has committed only eight errors on the season and has not committed a fielding error since the season's second game.

Fortenberry, a senior from Waco, Texas, leads the Big 12 and is tied for second nationally with nine triples. He leads Baylor with 44 runs, seven home runs, a .557 slugging percentage and 19 stolen bases. A career .201 hitter entering the season, Fortenberry is hitting .318. He entered the season with 42 career hits and has amassed 64 hits this season, including 11 bunt singles.