WICHITA, Kan. – Gardner-Webb redshirt senior catcher Ty Boyles has been named to the prestigious 2010 Johnny Bench Award Watch List, released this week by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.

The award, which began in 2000, is given annually to the nation’s top college baseball catcher.

Boyles (Ararat, N.C. / Surry Central HS) has emerged as one of the nation’s best as a result of an unmatched work ethic and tremendous production at the plate. The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder is coming off a career year that saw him bat .309 with a career-high 15 home runs, 54 base hits and 45 RBI in 47 starts.

Boyles’ home run total last season is the second-best in school history for a single season, and is tied for the best single season in school history for a catcher – matching Hall of Famer Wes Gentry’s effort in 1998.

For his career, which includes nine starts this season, the athletic Boyles has started 96 games and has forged a .311 batting average (119-of-383) with 23 home runs, 26 doubles, four triples, 87 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 14 attempts.

This season, Boyles is batting a solid .333 with three doubles, a pair of home runs and eight RBI. He has coaxed seven walks in nine games, and ranks second on the team with a .450 on base percentage.

J.T. Wise (Oklahoma, 2009) and Buster Posey (Florida State, 2008) are the past two winners of the award.

For more information on the Johnny Bench Award, visit wichitasports.com.

Gardner-Webb (2-7) travels to face Wofford College on Friday at 6:00 pm in Spartanburg, S.C.