LOWELL, Mass. – Junior Ryan Proto (Centerville, Mass.) has been named to the 2022 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Watch List, as announced last week by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. This is the second straight year the junior has been nominated for the award. 
 
The award is given annually to the top NCAA Division I collegiate catcher. The junior is one of two America East players to be named to the watch list.
 
"Ryan's game speaks for itself," said head coach Ken Harring. "He is a selfless leader, elite defender, and an incredible teammate. He is one of the top catchers in the country and I'm glad he's on our team."
 
Proto has started nine games this season for the River Hawks, having caught six stealing so far. He's also registered four this and four RBIs in 29 at-bats.
 
Seventy-six 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 4, 2022.
 
The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, whom will be announced May 19, 2022. 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 June 7, 2022. 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 on June 29, 2022.