Tuesday, March 08, 2005

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Mar. 8, 2005) - East Tennessee State senior catcher Caleb Moore (Knoxville, Tenn.) was named to the 2005 Johnny Bench Award watch list Tuesday by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. Thirty-seven catchers from sixteen conferences make up the list for the award given to the nation's top collegiate catcher.

The watch list will be narrowed down to ten semi-finalists, whom will be announced May 17, 2005. A comprehensive biography will be created on each of the semi-finalists and sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 1, 2005 prior to the NCAA 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 8th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 29, 2005.

Johnny Bench presented Cal State-Fullerton catcher, Kurt Suzuki, with the award last June in Wichita, Kansas. Chris Iannetta of the University of North Carolina and Landon Powell of the University of South Carolina were the other finalists for the award.

Moore is looking to repeat on one of the best seasons in Southern Conference history, as he led the nation with a .455 batting average and .60 doubles per game in 2004. Moore also led the SoCon in slugging percentage (.752) and was second in on-base percentage (.509), third in total bases (152) and fourth in hits (92). In addition, Moore hit nine home runs with 45 RBIs and 59 runs scored. He also served as the Buccaneer closer last season, going 2-0 with six saves.

Following the season, Moore was named SoCon Player of the Year by the league's coaches and media and was a second-team Louisville Slugger All-American. Caleb was named as a first-team preseason Louisville Slugger All-American for the 2005 season.

Caleb has had a great start to the 2005 season, hitting .387 through ETSU's first nine games. He leads the team with three home runs and 14 RBIs and has also hit four doubles.

Moore has been dominant on the mound so far this season, going 2-0 with four saves in six appearances. He has allowed just three hits and no runs in seven innings pitched.

ETSU returns to action tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. as the Bucs host Samford from Cardinal Park in Johnson City, Tenn.