IL1 Indianapolis Indians

'Johnny V' Named Tribe's May Player Of The Month

June 7, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Right-hander John Van Benschoten (pronounced "Van BEN-sko-tin") has been named Indianapolis Indians Player of the Month for May. He received a custom-made watch -- courtesy of Windsor Jewelers -- before Thursday night's game vs. Rochester.

Van Benschoten went 5-1 with a 2.27 ERA over six starts during the season's second month. He allowed just 34 hits and a .260 batting average while striking out 21 in 35.2 innings.

Van Benschoten was the International League's only five-game winner in May, while his ERA ranked fifth among IL hurlers. He recorded three quality starts (6.0+ IP; no more than 3 ER) during the month -- May 7 vs. Syracuse (0 R in 7 IP), May 12 vs. Ottawa (1 ER in 7 IP) and May 28 vs. Buffalo (0 R in 6.2 IP).

"Johnny had a great month of May and is very deserving of this honor," Indians Manager Trent Jewett says. "He has won six of his last seven decisions, and that's difficult to do at any level. It's a long season, but I've been pleased with the way Johnny has thrown over these first two months."

The 27-year-old owns a 6-3 record and 2.61 ERA through 11 starts in 2007. He has allowed just 55 hits and a .242 BA while striking out 41 in 62.0 innings. He is 6-1 with one no-decision over his last eight outings.

"Johnny works really hard in between starts," Jewett adds. "He's been one of our most consistent performers to this point in the season, and we're expecting even more during the second half of 2007."

Van Benschoten, who was a position player in college, earned Louisville Slugger First-Team All-America honors in 2001 as a junior at Kent State. He also earned Mid-American Conference Player of the Year accolades that year after leading the nation with 31 homers.

Van Benschoten is in his seventh season with the Pittsburgh organization after being selected by the Pirates in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2001 draft.

He is expected to pitch again on Friday evening against Rochester.

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