STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The Penn State Baseball Team announced its annual award winners this weekend during its annual team banquet. Seniors Chris Wright (State College, Pa.) and Mike Watson (Altoona, Pa.) were honored as the team's most valuable player and outstanding pitcher while juniors Mike DeRenzo (Murrysville, Pa.) and Wes Reohr (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) took home the team's academic achievement award and most improved player award.

Wright was named the recipient of the Joseph Bedenk Award, which is given to the team's most valuable player. As a senior, Wright started in all 53 games for the Nittany Lions as the everyday left fielder. The senior posted a .337 average and led the squad with 12 doubles and 46 RBI. Wright leaves Penn State as the career leader with 59 doubles, second all-time with 176 RBI, and fourth with 30 career home runs.

Mike Watson, who was named the team's Charles Medlar award winner, which is given to the squad's most valuable pitcher, had a break-through season in 2002. Watson knotted six wins to four losses as the team's ace. The senior right-hander registered a team-high 88 strikeouts on the mound this season, which was good for fourth in the Big Ten Conference. For his career, Watson compiled an overall record of 18-8 along with six saves. Watson also ranks third all-time in career appearances with 64.

DeRenzo was recognized as the team's Shorty Stoner award winner, which honors excellent academic achievement, for the second consecutive season. The junior second baseman, who was a third team All Big Ten selection a year ago, posted the second highest average on the team in 2002 with a .355 mark. DeRenzo also ranked third on the squad in doubles (9), home runs (4), and RBI (30). DeRenzo was also a standout according to Big Ten standards after recording the sixth highest total in runs scored with 52 and wrapping the seventh most hits in the conference with 72.

Wes Reohr was named the club's Ed Drapcho award winner, which is given to the team's most improved player, after posting a team-high .393 average along with nine round trippers, 11 doubles and 38 RBI. Reohr also posted a team-high 75 hits, which is good for third place all-time in single season hits at Penn State. The 75-hit performance by Reohr ranks fifth in the Big Ten in 2002. Reohr also ranked seventh in conference in total bases with 115.