March 2, 2010

Wichita, Kan. - Stony Brook University senior catcher Justin Echevarria (Uniondale, N.Y.) has been named to the 2010 Coleman Company - Johnny Bench Award Watch List. The award is presented by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission and is given annually to the nation's top catcher.

Echevarria was named to the 2007 All-America East second team and in 2008 he started 37 games and was named to the America East All-Tournament team as he helped the Seawolves to the America East Championship. He redshirted last season due to injury.

The watch list will be narrowed down to ten semifinalists, whom will be announced May 19, 2010. Ballots will be sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 2, 2010 prior to the NCAA Regionals and Major League Baseball Draft. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 13th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on July 1, 2010.

The Johnny Bench Award was created in 2000 and previous winners include Stanford's Ryan Garko (2003), Cal State Fullerton's Kurt Suzuki (2004) and Florida State's Buster Posey (2008).

The Seawolves open the 2010 season this Friday, traveling to take on Akron in Wilmington, N.C. Game time is set for 7 p.m.