Francis Larson Named to Watch List for Johnny Bench Award

March 1, 2010

IRVINE, Calif. --- Senior Francis Larson (Yorba Linda/Esperanza HS) has been named to the watch list for the 2010 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award delivered by Papa John's Pizza. The award is given annually to the top Division I catcher.

Larson, who was a 2009 Johnny Bench Award finalist, is also a candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS award. Larson is an All-Big West first-team choice and led UCI last season in RBI with 43 and nine home runs. He is currently second in the UCI record books with 18 home runs and needs four to become the all-time leader. Over three seasons, he holds a .300 career batting average and has recorded 149 hits and 94 RBI.

The watch list will be narrowed to ten semifinalists in mid-May and the finalist will be announced June 2 prior to the NCAA Regionals and Major League Draft. The finalists will be brought to Wichita, Kansas and the winner will be named at the 13th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on July 1.

The award is named for Johnny Bench, who is remembered for his offense and for his impact behind the plate. He was the first catcher to use a protective helmet in the field, popularized catching one-handed and kept his throwing hand behind his back to protect it from foul tips.