CHAMAPAIGN, Ill. - Junior catcher Lars Davis (Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada) has been added to the midseason watch lists for the Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award and the Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top catcher. He also is one of 50 semifinalists for the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, presented to the nation's premier amateur baseball player.

The recognition comes after Davis has proved to be one of the top catchers in the nation, both at and behind the plate. He leads Illinois with a .435 batting average, 38 runs, 73 hits, nine home runs, 42 RBI and a .661 slugging percentage. His .479 on-base percentage is second on the team and he has thrown out 18-of-64 (.281) percent of runners stealing.

Davis has started all of the Illini's games this season, 38 behind the plate and three as designated hitter. He was named Big Ten Player of the Week on March 27 after battering opponent pitching near the end of Spring Trip at a .857 clip (12-for-14) in three games with three homers, a double, five RBI and five runs. He also has stolen 7-of-9 bases on the year, fourth-best on the Illinois squad.

The Wallace Award will narrow its list to 30 semifinalists toward the end of May and will name three finalists after the NCAA Super Regional round, naming a winner on June 3 on the campus of Texas Tech University.

The Golden Spikes Award will be presented on June 29 during the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Show presented by Major League Baseball.

The Bench Award will announce 10 semifinalists on May 17, with the finalists selected on May 30 prior to the NCAA Regionals and Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The award will be presented on June 27 at the 10th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet.