BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue baseball team, under head coach Duane Monlux, has announced today the signing of Derik Bontempo (Federal Way, Wash./Tacoma CC/Decatur HS) to a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic careers at Bellevue in the fall of 2015.
Bontempo, a 5-foot 11-inch, 190 pound outfielder, played two seasons at Tacoma Community College in Washington. He was twice named to the all-NWAC West Region Team earning first team accolades last season and second team honors in 2014.
He enjoyed a career season last year. Appearing in 42 games he logged a .304 batting average to go with 31 runs and 46 runs batted in. He totaled 19 extra-base hits (9 doubles, 6 triples, and 4 home runs) for a slugging average of .527. Despite solid power numbers Bontempo possesses good plate discipline as he struck out just 24 times and reached base via walk or hit by pitch 24 times for a .399 on-base percentage.
In his two seasons at Tacoma Bontempo was a career .315 hitter with 29 extra-base hits (17 doubles, 6 triples, and 6 home runs) while driving in 65 and scoring 48 runs. He also showed flashes of solid speed, recording 11 stolen bases in 76 games.
Coach Monlux on Bontempo:
"Derik is another quality signing that we have from the NWAC. We have had a lot of great players from the Pacific Northwest that have played at Bellevue in the past and ones that are currently on our roster. We expect Derik to be right up there with those players. He had two very good seasons at Tacoma Community College. He will step in and compete for a spot in our outfield for next year."
Bellevue went 46-15 (18-6 MCAC) this past season while winning the final MCAC Tournament and hosting the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round. The Bruins reached the final game in the Opening Round Tournament before falling to Tabor College.
