Baseball adds another signee

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University baseball team, under head coach Duane Monlux, announced today the signing of 5-10, 200-pound catcher/outfielder Travis Tanaka (Aiea, Hawaii) to a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic careers at Bellevue beginning in the fall of 2017.

Tanaka was a two-time first-team all-conference selection as a catcher in JuCo ball and comes to Bellevue from College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif. He attended St. Louis High School prior to enrolling at in junior college.

At College of the Desert Tanaka was a strong offensive contributor with a .371/.469/.471 slash line in 74 career games (73 starts). He recorded 104 hits including 24 which went for extra-bases, drove in 47 runs, and scored 54. He showed a discerning eye at the plate by drawing 44 walks and striking out just 40 times in 280 career at-bats.

Coach Monlux said of Tanaka, "Travis is a very big signing for us at Bellevue University. He is an experienced catcher that has the ability to be very solid offensively as well. He is very versatility, showing the ability to play in the outfield along with catcher. He does a great job of getting on base and hitting for a high average. We are looking forward to having Travis as a Bruin for the next two seasons."

Tanaka joins earlier signees Jonah Yang (OF, Diamond Bar, Calif.), Luke Stratton (OF, Temecula, Calif.), Bailey Link (C/3B/RHP, Chula Vista, Calif.), Jarrod Molnaa (RHP, Kennewick, Wash.), Conner Sharp (RHP, Port Orchard, Wash.), Stuart Eurich (OF, Elizabeth, Colo.), and Stephen Knapp (RHP, Huntington Beach, Calif.).

Bellevue concluded another strong season last month with a 51-11 mark that saw them earn their second-straight NSAA Regular-Season title after going 23-1 in league play. The Bruins hosted the NAIA Opening Round Bellevue Bracket where they reached the final round. The National Tournament Appearance was the 19^th in the stories history of the Bruin Baseball program.