BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bellevue University seniors Payton Higgins (Cedar, Utah) and Elijah Johnson (Omaha, Neb.) have earned North Star Athletic Association Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, respectively, as announced by the NSAA on Monday.
Higgins made his season debut over the weekend, playing in all four games of BU's series sweep of Presentation. After spending last year as Bellevue's starting right fielder and playing an integral role in the team's success, he was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer during the fall while preparing to resume that role this season before the diagnosis. Over the past several months he has undergone chemo and other treatments at home in Utah with his wife and family by his side. He has continued to attend school virtually and work out as much as his body permitted him.
This weekend was Senior Weekend for BU and he, along with his family, made the trip to Omaha. He appeared in all four games in our sweep of Presentation, playing both left and right field while getting several plate appearances, scoring a run and recording an RBI. These will be the only games that he will be playing all year as he heads back home to continue his treatment.
Johnson picks up his second-straight Pitcher of the Week honor and the sixth of the season as well as his career, both program records. Johnson fired a no-hitter in his lone appearance last week, striking out 11 Presentation batters over seven shutout innings of work to help the Bruins to a sweep of the Saints.
On the season, Johnson improves to 9-1 with a 1.54 ERA. He has now totaled 109 strikeouts, still second in the NAIA, over 70 innings of work (14.1 K/9). Additionally, he owns a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.95, a WHIP of 0.79, and continues to lead the NSAA in all three Pitching Triple Crown categories.
Bellevue (34-8/19-0) travels to Fremont, Neb. tomorrow for a 5 p.m. non-conference game against Midland University (22-14/9-11 GPAC) at Moller Field.
