Latest news with #JohnnyBenchAward
Dominion Post
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Dominion Post
Preston High Bryson McNew named 2025 Johnny Bench Award recipient as state's best catcher
KINGWOOD – Preston High School baseball's Bryson McNew was selected as the 2025 Johnny Bench Award winner as the top catcher in West Virginia. The award is given to the top baseball and softball catcher from the NCAA, as well as the four best high school catchers from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia. The award was first awarded to players below the collegiate level in 2019 when the Johnny Bench Award partnered with the Cincinnati Reds. McNew was named one of two catchers to the 2025 Class AAAA all-state first team (his second selection in as many seasons) after hitting over .600 at the plate with 31 hits and 27 RBI. He hit five doubles, two triples, and eight home runs, drawing 24 walks and striking out only seven times in 74 plate appearances. 'First of all, I want to give thanks to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ when it comes to an award of this caliber,' McNew said. 'Secondly, I just feel honored to receive an award with such prestige. Especially one that is associated with the greatest to ever be behind the plate. Being recognized as the best catcher in our state is something I won't ever forget and something I hope to continue to do.' Tayler Likens of Frankfort High School was the softball winner of the Bench Award in WV, while Coastal Carolina University's Caden Bodine was named the recipient for the NCAA. Bryson is the second area-coverage catcher to win the award in the last three seasons, as former Morgantown High School catcher Ty Galusky won in 2023. McNew says having the chance to meet catchers that he looks up to, like Bench and Bodine, is a dream come true. 'Ty is someone I grew up watching, and I love the way he plays the game,' McNew said. 'Also, Caden Bodine is one of my favorite college players in the game to watch right now, so being able to meet him and Johnny Bench and all the other great catchers from the other states is something I'll never forget.' The ten winners will be honored at the Johnny Bench Awards Luncheon on July 29 at Great American Ball Park and will be recognized that evening during on-field ceremonies before the Reds vs. Dodgers game at 7:10 p.m. 'Now in its seventh year, the Johnny Bench Awards honor more than just impressive stats; they celebrate the leadership, toughness, and heart required to be a great catcher,' said Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. 'I'm proud to recognize this year's winners for upholding that standard.'
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Longhorns softball star Reese Atwood makes history, wins Johnny Bench Award
On Tuesday, Longhorns softball had a reason to celebrate as Reese Atwood made history. The Longhorn star became the first catcher in program history to win the Johnny Bench Award. Each year, the award is given to the top NCAA Division I male and female catchers in the nation. As the Longhorns ended their title drought just a few weeks ago Atwood was key to their success. In 68 games during the 2025 campaign, the Texas native posted a .393 batting average while driving in 89 runs. She also showed off her power with 37 extra-base hits including 21 home runs. The Tuloso Midway High School product rewrote the record books, becoming the first Longhorn with 20 or more home runs in back-to-back seasons. While Atwood was a force at the plate she was also very good defensively. The talented junior posted a .988 fielding percentage and only committed four errors. When runners did reach base they did not test Atwood's arm. She threw out four-of-seven would-be base stealers. With Atwood's bat leading the way, the Longhorns offense was one of the most potent in the country. They led Division 1 with 630 hits. They also finished second in RBI with 460 and had the third highest batting average. Regardless of the opponent, they were not a lineup pitchers were thrilled to face. Through 191 games in a Longhorns uniform, Atwood has been a hits machine. In that stretch she has driven 222 runs and hit 55 home runs. Each year she has been a bat Texas can rely on and on Wednesday finally got national recognition for her play. With one more year left in her college career, Atwood will look to continue making history.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC baseball alum Garrett Stubbs heads back to World Baseball Classic with Team Israel
Coming off their first NCAA Tournament berth in a decade, it is certainly an exciting time for USC baseball. In addition to the current team, it is also an exciting time for a notable alum of the program. On Thursday, it was announced that former USC star catcher Garrett Stubbs will once again represent Team Israel in next year's World Baseball Classic. Stubbs previously played for Israel in the World Baseball Classic in 2023. Although he is from San Diego, he is eligible to play for the team due to the fact that he is Jewish. 'I'm incredibly excited and honored to represent Israel in the World Baseball Classic," Stubbs said. "Being able to connect with my heritage on such a global stage, alongside so many talented players, is a truly special opportunity. I'm ready to help Team Israel compete at the highest level.' Stubbs played at USC from 2012-2015. During his senior year, he was named an All-American behind the plate and won the Johnny Bench Award as the top catcher in the country. He also helped lead the Trojans to what was, prior to this past season, their most recent NCAA Tournament appearance. The Houston Astros selected Stubbs in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut with the team in 2019 and spent parts of three seasons with the team before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in November 2021. Stubbs spent the past three seasons as Philadelphia's backup catcher, but has spent all of 2025 thus far with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
