Niners' Taylor named to Bench watch list

Charlotte 49ers senior catcher Chris Taylor has been named to the watch list for the 2008 Johnny Bench Award, given annually to the nation's top catcher in college baseball.

As of Monday's NCAA statistics, Taylor was eighth in the nation with 59 runs batted in, 10th in RBIs per game, 14th in home runs and 42nd in slugging percentage.

On Tuesday, Taylor added another home run during the 49ers' 7-5 victory at Winthrop. Taylor's 16 home runs this season rank fourth-highest in a single season in Charlotte history.

The watch list will be narrowed down to 10 semi-finalists on May 14. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series.