LINCOLN, Neb. -- Bellevue University two-time All-American pitcher Ben McKendall has signed a professional contract with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association.
As a senior McKendall picked up numerous accolades including; NAIA First Team All-American, NSAA Pitcher of the Year, Omaha World-Herald NAIA All-Nebraska, All-NSAA First Team, and NSAA Gold Glove Winner as a pitcher.
During his junior season McKendall was an NAIA Second Team All-American, NSAA Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-NSAA, and Omaha World-Herald NAIA All-Nebraska.
In two seasons with the Bruins McKendall made 31 appearances on the hill – 30 starts – and logged a 21-3 record to go along with a tidy 2.17 ERA. He struck out 225 batters over 211.1 innings of work for an average of 9.58 strikeouts per nine innings and issued just 46 walks. He recorded 11 complete games and seven shutouts. He held opponents to just a .224 batting average and concluded his career with a 4.89:1 strikeout to walk ratio.
The Saltdogs are currently 10-8 on the season and sit two games behind the Sioux City Explorers in the Central Division.
Bellevue wrapped up the 2017 campaign with a 51-11 overall record. The Bruins went 23-1 in NSAA play, taking home the conference regular-season crown and advancing to the NAIA National Tournament for the 19th time in school history. BU was ranked No. 11 in the NAIA Post-Season Top 25 Poll.
