Sophomore Matt Lewis has been an offensive leader for the Penn State baseball team in 2005, and he has been recognized on a national level as well, as the College Baseball Foundation added him to the 2005 Brooks Wallace Award watch list yesterday.

The Brooks Wallace Award is presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year. Kurt Suzuki of Cal State Fullerton won the award in 2004.

Lewis leads the Nittany Lions in several offensive categories, including batting average (.359), hits (42), RBI (27), total bases (68) and sacrifice flies (3). He has also scored 24 runs and belted seven doubles, two triples and five home runs.

The Wallace Watch will be trimmed to 12 semifinalists by May 22. The selection committee will narrow the list to three finalists following the NCAA Super Regionals at a press conference in Omaha, Neb., on June 16.

The Fox Sports Network will televise the 2005 Brooks Wallace Award this summer.