March 11, 2008

WORCESTER, Mass. - Holy Cross senior catcher Brendan Akashian (Lowell, Mass.) was named to the 2008 Coleman Company - Johnny Bench Award Watch List, a list of thirty-six catchers from 22 conferences that are nominated by their coaches. The annual award will be given on June 27 at the 11th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet.

So far this season, Akashian has started in all nine games the Crusaders have played and is currently ranked fifth on the team in batting average (.303). In 33 at bats, Akashian has recorded 10 hits including two home runs and a double. He has also drove in 11 runs and scored six runs.

During the first of two games on Mar. 5, Akashian drove in two runs during the Crusaders 5-4 loss to Georgetown. In game two, he went 4-for-5 including a double and drove in two runs as Holy Cross downed Rollins, 14-4. Akashian hit his first home run of the season during an 8-6 extra innings victory over Saint Joseph's on Mar. 6. On Mar. 7, Akashian went 1-for-4, hitting a two-run home run to lift the Crusaders to a 4-3 victory over Georgetown.

The Crusaders return to action on Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16, when they travel to Washington in a four-game series. Each doubleheader will start at 3:00 p.m.