By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Tiras Koon (Sr., 1B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) of Willamette University has been chosen Second Team All-West Region for the 2015 season by D3baseball.com. Earlier this spring, Koon was selected as the Northwest Conference Baseball Player of the Year and was named First Team All-NWC.

A total of 42 athletes were chosen for the 2015 All-West Region Baseball Team. Fourteen players were chosen for the First Team with 14 players on the Second Team and 14 player on the Third Team.

Conner Bertsch, a first baseman from Concordia University (Texas) was named West Region Player of the Year, while Taylor Henry, a pitcher at Centenary College (La.) was named West Region Pitcher of the Year. Justin Traxler, a relief pitcher from Concordia (Texas) was selected West Region Rookie of the Year, and Head Coach Tim Scannell of Trinity University (Texas) was chosen West Region Coach of the Year.

Willamette concluded the season with a 21-18 overall record. The Bearcats finished the conference schedule with 10-14 record in the NWC (7th place).

Second Team All-West Region

Tiras Koon (Sr., 1B) was named Second Team All-West Region for the first time this spring. He led the Northwest Conference with a .402 batting average, 12 home runs and 45 RBIs. He also ranked first in the conference with a .750 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base percentage.

In addition, he finished tied for sixth in the NWC with 36 runs scored and was seventh with 22 walks. On Willamette's all-time single season lists, his efforts this year placed him fourth in home runs, eighth in RBIs and 10th in batting average. He moved into second on the single season defensive list with 350 putouts.

This spring, he connected for 53 hits in 132 at bats. He belted 10 doubles to go along with his NWC-leading home run total. He achieved a .984 fielding percentage.

"Tiras had an exceptional season," Willamette Head Coach Aaron Swick said. "I'm thrilled his accomplishments earned him an All-West Region Second Team selection."

During his Willamette career, Koon played in 129 games with 115 starts. He earned a .330 career batting average, while compiling 136 hits and 412 at bats. He scored 82 runs and hit 28 doubles. He ranks sixth all-time at WU with 20 career home runs and is tied for ninth with 98 RBIs. He is third all-time at Willamette with 795 putouts on defense.

In his career, he walked 64 times and was hit by 15 pitches. He owns a career .980 fielding percentage.

Koon received All-NWC honors twice. He was chosen Honorable Mention All-NWC in 2014, and then earned First Team All-NWC honors this season while being named NWC Baseball Player of the Year.