May 15, 2008

Duquesne University senior Derek Mechling (Homer City, Pa/Homer Center) has been added to the "Watch List" for the 2008 Coleman Company - Johnny Bench Award delivered by AT&T and Papa John's Pizza, given annually to the nation's top catcher. The list was announced by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.

Mechling is batting .337 with a team-best 12 home runs and 52 runs scored. He adds a team-high 12 doubles and has 36 RBI, 13 stolen bases and a .613 slugging pct. This season he set a school record with a 17-game hitting streak and also tied individual game school records when he hit three home runs, drove in seven RBI and scored five times in a win over La Salle. In addition, he ranks second all-time at Duquesne with 24 career home runs. Mechling joins fellow Atlantic 10 catchers Zach Zaneski of Rhode Island and Chris Taylor of Charlotte on the list of 50 student-athletes.

The watch list will be narrowed down to ten semifinalists, whom will be announced May 14, 2008. Three finalists will be announced June 3, 2008 prior to the NCAA Super 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 11th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 27, 2008.

Bench's career honors include: National League Rookie of the Year (1968); National League Most Valuable Player (1970, 1972); World Series Most Valuable Player (1976); 14-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. In 1980, he set an endurance record by catching 100+ games for 13 consecutive seasons. Bench was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1989 with the fourth highest percentage of total votes cast.