The Bellevue University baseball program under head coach Duane Monlux announced the addition of local high school standout Josh Kramer (Papillion, Neb./Papillion-LaVista HS) to a letter of intent to continue his baseball and academic careers for the Bruins beginning in the fall of 2012.
Kramer prepped at Papillion-LaVista High School under coach Jim Thomas and played summer American Legion baseball for Pinnacle Bank, also under Thomas.
"Josh is a talented hitter that can hit for both power and average," said Monlux. "He is a very solid baseball player that had a great deal of success during his high school and American Legion careers."
Kramer earned all-state, honorable mention honors in 2011 after leading his team in home runs (10), doubles (20), and RBIs (75). He led his 2012 Pinnacle Bank team in triples (8), home runs (11), and broke a 25-year Nebraska summer record for RBIs with 92, while leading his squad to the state tournament. Kramer also earned honorable mention all-state accolades while leading his team in triples, home runs and RBIs.
"Josh has the ability to be a very good collegiate baseball player," added Monlux. "We think he has a very bright future for the Bruins."
A three-year starter in baseball at PLHS, he also lettered in football for the Monarchs.
Kramer joins earlier signees Ricky Holm (Marysville, Wash./Everett CC/Marysville-Pilchuck HS), Michael Kirkland (Sand Springs, Okla./NCCC/Charles Page HS), Kenny McKee (Sapulpa, Okla./NCCC/Sapulpa HS), Chandler McLaren (Guelph, Ontario/Douglas College/GCVI), Sean Felt (Ralston, Neb./Reinhardt/Fort Scott CC/Ralston HS), Devin Ferguson (Lacey, Wash./Centralia/North Thurston HS), Nate Mullins (Snohomish, Wash./Everett CC/Snohomish HS), Brian Embery (Emporia, Kan./Wayland Baptist/Lower Columbia/Auburn HS) and Kyle Kinman (Omaha, Neb./Butler CC/Northwest HS) in the latest recruiting class.
The 2012 Bruins finished with a 40-21 overall record, winning the MCAC regular season with a 17-3 mark, advancing the NAIA National Tournament for the second-straight year.
