Bowman on Wallace Watch list

Dayton's Matt Bowman of the University of Nevada baseball team is among 120 players who have been included in the Wallace Watch for the 2007 College Baseball Player of the Year.

The Wallace Watch will be trimmed to 12 semifinalists by late May. Then the selection committee will narrow the list to three finalists following the NCAA Super Regionals, prior to the College World Series. The finalists, their head coaches, and their parents will be invited to Lubbock, Texas, for a schedule of special events tied to the awards banquet, which will again be nationally televised by Fox Sports Network and Fox College Sports.

The Brooks Wallace Award is presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year. Dedicated to the memory of former Texas Tech shortstop and assistant coach, Wallace played from 1977 to 1980. A 4-year starter, he was named All-Southwest Conference and All-District Six his senior year when he led the Red Raiders to their first-ever appearance in the Southwest Conference Tournament. After playing two years in the Texas Rangers organization, he returned to Texas Tech and served as a graduate assistant and later as an assistant coach. In the summer of 1984 he was diagnosed with cancer and fought the disease until his death on March 24, 1985, at age 27.

The selection committee for the Wallace Award is comprised of a national panel of coaches, sports information directors, former winners and beat media who cover college baseball.

Bowman, a junior who has played mostly at third base the past two years, is expected to start in the outfield this season. Last season Bowman hit .369 with eight home runs and 38 RBI.