LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell catcher Ryan Proto has been named to the 2021 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Watch List, announced last week by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.

The award is handed out annually to the top NCAA Division I catcher. The Centerville, Mass. native is one of two athletes in the Bay State to have been added to the list.

"It's a great honor for Ryan to be listed amongst the nation's most elite catchers," commented head coach Ken Harring. "He has worked extremely hard to put himself on the list."

Serving as the River Hawks' primary backstop for the 2021 campaign, Proto has started in all nine of Lowell's contests, having caught two stealing so far. He is currently tied for second on the team in RBI (2) and is the only River Hawk to register two doubles on the season.

In 19 career games with the River Hawks, Proto has hit .208 with six runs scored, 4 RBI, a .333 slugging percentage, and a .333 on-base percentage. Behind the plate, he holds a .980 fielding percentage.

"He is a top defensive catcher who can do it all," stated Harring. "He can receive, block and throw with anyone. He is a true leader on and off the field."

Sixty-nine catchers were nominated for the award by their schools. Because the award is given annually to the top division one collegiate catcher, the list will be updated to include other candidates until May 5, 2021.

The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, who will be announced on May 20, 2021. Ballots will be sent to the national voting committee at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced on June 7, 2021. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at a date that is yet to be determined.