BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University senior catch Ryan Snell has been named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List announced award officials Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Johnny Bench Award is presented annually to college baseball's top catcher. The award was created by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission in 2000.
 
Snell has jumped out of the gate quickly in the 2023 season going all the way back to the season opener where he blasted his first home run of the season – a 10^th inning walk off against Oakland. Just days later, Snell guided the Cardinals to a stunning upset of No. 5 Texas A&M by hitting two home runs, including a three-run shot in the seventh which would prove to be the difference in the game. The very next day Snell led the team to a win over Kansas State in Beaumont.
 
Snell enters Wednesday's game at No. 1 LSU with a .256/.347/.721 slash line. He currently leads the team in home runs (4), RBIs (11) and total bases (31) and is second on the team in hits. Even more impressive, all of Snell's hits have been for extra bases this season. In addition to this four homers, he also has six doubles and a triple.
 
Snell's numbers behind the plate are even more impressive. Snell has thrown out all five attempted base stealers this season.
 
For his career, Snell has hit nine home runs, 21 doubles, driven in 53 runs and scored 52 runs. He has also posted a .996 fielding percentage in 93 career games.