It was announced this week by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission that junior catcher Riley Helland is on the 2018 Johnny Bench Award watch list. The award goes to the top collegiate catcher in division one baseball each year.
 
"Riley is a great worker and very deserving to represent the 2018 Johnny Bench Award list," said head coach Nino Giarratano. "We wish him the best of luck as the season continues."

Helland is batting .297 so far this season with 11 hits, including two doubles, five RBIs and five runs scored. In their latest series against UC Riverside, he drove in the two runs in USF's 2-1 win over the Highlanders.

He has also has shown off his defensive abilities, throwing out two of the four that have attempted to steal on the junior.
 
Helland is joined by fellow WCC members in Saint Mary's senior Jackson Thoreson and Gonzaga junior Austin Pinorini.

The list will be narrowed down to semifinalists on May 16^th with the finalists announced on June 4^th.

The Dons are in Fresno, Calif. for a one game matchup against Fresno State. USF will return home on Thursday to play host to Xavier at 2 p.m. and you can buy a ticket by clicking here. Then, that following weekend will be the WCC opener against Pacific. You can buy a ticket to the first conference game of 2018.