May 16, 2002

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(Wichita, KS) - Senior catcher Steve Booth was named one of 10 semifinalists for the third annual Johnny Bench Award, announced the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. The award will honor the nation's top collegiate catcher as voted on by a panel of sportswriters, sportscasters, Division I Coaches and scouts, and will be announced at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 25, 2002.

Booth enjoyed one of the most productive offensive seasons in USF single-season history in 2002, powering a team-leading 19 homeruns and drove in 65 RBI on 68 base hits on the season. Booth's 19 long balls and 65 RBI both rank third on the Dons single-season record books and rank in the top three among West Coast Conference leaders.

Booth, who earned 2002 USF Team MVP and Best Defensive honors, threw out 19 runners during the season despite working with a young and inexperienced pitching staff.

After transferring from West Valley Community College, Booth made an immediate impact on the Dons during the 2001 season, helping the Dons pitching staff post the lowest team ERA since the 1975 campaign. In his two-year career on the Hilltop, Booth launched 21 homeruns to rank fifth on the USF career long ball leader board and drove in 89 RBI, while batting at a .321 pace with 124 hits, 20 doubles, triple and 41 walks. Booth was a member of the 2001 Johnny Bench Award watch list last season.