Senior catcher Jimmy Best is on the watch list for the 2012 Johnny Bench Award, an accolade awarded to the nation’s top Division I catcher based on athletic ability, sportsmanship, team leadership and character. The honor is awarded by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission and will be presented at the conclusion of this year’s College World Series.

Over the Colonials’ seven games this season, Best is hitting a team-best .429, with one home run and six RBIs. He was named the College Sports Madness Atlantic 10 Player of the Week on Monday.

An award selection committee will narrow the watch list down to the semifinalists and the committee will then send relevant statistical information on each semifinalist to the national selection committee by the end of May. A vote by the national selection committee will then narrow the list to three finalists. The final recipient will be determined by a vote during the College World Series.