BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bellevue University senior Elijah Johnson (Omaha, Neb.) and sophomore Conner Barnett (Papillion, Neb.) were each honored by the North Star Athletic Association as the conference's Baseball Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively.
Johnson takes home NSAA Pitcher of the Week honors for the fifth time this season, a program single-season record. He was also recognized four-straight weeks from Feb. 28-Mar. 21.
In his lone start last week, Johnson fired his third complete game shutout of the season in Saturday's second game, an 11-0 victory over Waldorf. He struck out 10 batters and did not issue a walk while scattering six hits over seven innings of work.
Johnson is now 8-1 on the season with a 1.71 ERA and 98 strikeouts. Through 63 innings of work, he is averaging 14.0 strikeouts per nine innings, owns a 4.9 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and has posted a WHIP of just 0.84 that would currently be a BU single-season record. He leads the North Star in all three Pitching Triple Crown categories and ranks second nationally in strikeouts.
Barnett earns NSAA Player of the Week honors for the third time this season, after previously being honored on Feb. 28 and Mar. 21.
While dealing with a nagging injury, Barnett played in three of BU's five games last week and hit .643 with a 2.054 OPS, totaling five extra-base hits, 14 RBI, and six runs scored. In Saturday's first game against Waldorf he became the 21st Bruin to register a five-hit game going 5-for-7 with a pair of home runs and nine RBI. The RBI total represented the second most by a BU player in a single game.
For the season, Barnett is now hitting .419 with a 1.142 OPS, 15 extra-base hits, 37 RBI, 41 runs scored, and is 11-of-12 on stolen base attempts. His stats in conference play are even better as he sports a .500 average, 1.472 OPS, 24 RBI, and 20 runs scored in 13 games. He is one of two Bruins in contention for the NSAA Offensive Triple Crown, ranking third in both batting average and RBI while ranking fourth in home runs. Additionally, he leads the North Star with eight outfield assists.
Bellevue (29-8/15-0 NSAA) hosts Morningside University (20-11/7-9 GPAC) tomorrow at John Stella Field at Brown Park for a 5 p.m. first pitch. The Bruins are also home this weekend to host Presentation College (5-33/3-13 NSAA) for a pair of double-headers on Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at noon.
