MADISON, S.D. -- For the fourth time this season, and fifth time in his career, Bellevue University senior outfielder Derik Bontempo (Federal Way, Wash.) has been named the North Star Athletic Association's Baseball Player of the Week, it was announced by the league office.
Bontempo slashed a scorching .706/.763/1.353 last week to help the Bruins to wins in all five of their games. He led the team with five extra-base hits, 11 RBI, and nine runs scored as he has now recorded eight-straight multi-hit games.
In conference play, Bontempo is on an 18-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 47 of Bellevue's 49 games on the year. Last week he drove in three or more runs in three of the five games and had an extra-base hit in four of five contests.
For the season, Bontempo leads Bellevue in 11 offensive categories; batting average (.485), on-base percentage (.535), slugging percentage (.896), runs scored (56), hits (79), doubles (19), home runs (14), RBI (59), extra-base hits (36), sac flies (8), and total bases (146). As one of the best hitters in the NAIA, he ranks in the top five nationally in batting average (2nd), hits (2nd), slugging percentage (2nd), and total bases (4th).
Bontempo was also named NSAA Player of the Week on Mar. 13, Apr. 3, and Apr. 10 of this season while also earning the distinction on May 10 of last season. Bontempo also earned NAIA National Player of the Week honors back on Apr. 4.
Ranked fourth nationally, Bellevue is riding an eight-game win streak and currently rest at 42-7 (19-1 NSAA) on the season. The Bruins return to play today with a 4 p.m. game in Fremont, Neb. against Midland University.
