WICHITA, Kan. -- East Carolina's Jake Smith is the winner of the Johnny Bench Award, given to the top catcher in the nation in college baseball. Smith led the Pirates in batting average, hits, doubles, RBIs, total bases and slugging percentage, while ranking second in home runs with 13. He beat Michigan's Jeff Kunkel and Miami's Eddy Rodriguez for the award. The prize was given last night by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. The winner is chosen by a panel of sportswriters, sportscasters, conference representatives and Division One head baseball coaches.
ECU Pirate wins Bench Award as nation's top catcher
Former Southern Guilford standout Jake Smith is the winner of the Johnny Bench Award, given to the top catcher in the nation in college baseball.
