SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University first baseman Kyle Stalker (Bellevue, WA/Sammamish HS) ranked first nationally in NCAA Division III in home runs per game during the 2008 season, according to final statistics release by the NCAA. Stalker pounded out 22 home runs in 39 games for 0.56 homers per contest.
Stalker used his power hitting efforts to lead five Bearcats with at least seven home runs during the season, as Willamette also topped NCAA Division III in team home runs per game. The Bearcats belted an impressive 66 homers during the season for an average of 1.65 home runs per game. Willamette will receive trophies recognizing the individual and team statistical titles.
The battle for first place atop the individual home run list was waged between Stalker and Derek David of McMurry University (Texas). David ranked first in total home runs with 26 on the season, but played in 48 games including the playoffs to finish second behind Stalker in home runs per game at 0.54. Tom Williams from Concordia University (Texas) finished third in both total home runs and home runs per game with 21 in 46 contests (0.46).
Willamette and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point took the top two spots in home runs per game. The Bearcats (66 homers in 40 games) edged out the Pointers, who hit 72 homers in 45 games (1.60 per game).
Concordia (Texas) was third in home runs per game at 1.59 and McMurry was fourth at 1.58.
McMurry topped the nation in total home runs with 76 homers in 48 games. Concordia (Texas) was second with 73 four-baggers in 46 games and UW-Stevens Point was third with 72 in 45 games. Willamette and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (66 in 52 games) tied for fourth.
Stalker was one of three Bearcats ranked among the Top 75 players in home runs per game. T.C. Lee (Fr., LF, Lafayette, CA/Acalanes HS) connected for 10 home runs in 39 games and ranked 46th with 0.26 homers per game. Colin Young (Sr., RF/DH, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) blasted nine home runs in 38 games, as he placed 72nd nationally with 0.24 homers per game.
Sean Anderson (Sr., CF, Klamath Falls, OR/Klamath Union HS) finished 28th in Division III in runs scored per game. He crossed home plate 49 times in 37 games for an average of 1.32 runs per game. Anderson helped Willamette rank 52nd in Division III in team scoring with 8.3 runs per contest. Anderson also ranked 46th with 0.14 triples per game (5 in 37 games).
The Bearcats concluded the season ranked 25th in team slugging percentage at .518. In addition to knocking out 66 homers, the 'Cats smacked 66 doubles and nine triples for 141 extra-base hits. On defense, Willamette ranked 35th in double plays per game (0.95), after turning 38 in 40 games.
Willamette achieved a 20-20 overall record in 2008. The Bearcats finished 16-15 (5th place) in the Northwest Conference.
Kyle Stalker smacked 22 home runs in 39 games to lead NCAA Division III in home runs per game.
T.C. Lee hit 10 home runs during the 2008 season.
