The Sports Inquirer

Release from Georgia State Athletics:

For the second straight year, Georgia State catcher Joey Roach is a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award as the top catcher in Division I

The 15 semifinalists for the 2016 Johnny Bench Award presented by BaseballSavings.com wre Wednesday by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. The field will narrowed to three finalists announced June 6, 2016.

Roach, the senior from Holly Springs, N.C., is hitting .325 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI. Earlier this season, he was honored as Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week (April 11) after belting four home runs in four games while hitting .500 (7-for-14) with eight RBI.

The senior from Holly Springs, N.C., is one of the most productive and highly decorated student-athletes in Georgia State history as a two-time, first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection, a three-time all-conference choice and a three-year member of the Johnny Bench Award watch List.

A four-year starter behind the plate, Roach is the Sun Belt Conference’s active leader with 131 career RBIs while ranking second in hits (195) and third in home runs (25). His 25 career homers are tied for 13th in GSU history.

Also an outstanding student majoring in actuarial science, Roach is a 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-American and a 2016 Academic All-District selection (Academic All-America team announced June 3). He is one of 10 national finalists for the Senior CLASS Award.

2016 JOHNNY BENCH AWARD SEMIFINALISTS:

Riley Adams, University of San Diego   SO

Zack Collins, University of Miami   JR

Brady Cox, University of Texas, Arlington   JR

Brett Cumberland, University of California, Berkeley   SO

Logan Ice, Oregon State University   JR

Henri Lartigue, University of Mississippi   JR

Jeremy Martinez, University of Southern California   JR

Chris Okey, Clemson University   JR

Joey Roach, Georgia State University   SR

Keith Skinner, University of North Florida   SR

Evan Skoug, Texas Christian University   SO

Deon Stafford, Jr., Saint Joseph’s University   SO

Matt Thaiss, University of Virginia   JR

Michael  Tinsley, University of Kansas   JR

Harrison Wenson, University of Michigan   JR