By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- Sophomore first baseman Eric Del Prado (El Segundo, CA/Loyola HS) of Willamette University has been named to Second Team All-Northwest Conference in voting by the NWC head coaches. Willamette sophomore third baseman Mason Fessler (Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) was chosen Honorable Mention All-NWC.
A total of 41 players were named to the 2016 All-Northwest Conference Baseball Team. Fifteen athletes were named to the First Team, with 15 players on the Second Team and 11 athletes earning Honorable Mention.
Outfielder Walker Olis from Pacific University was chosen NWC Baseball Player of the Year. Dustin Wells of George Fox University was named NWC Pitcher of the Year. Head Coach Dan Ramsey of Whitworthe University was selected NWC Baseball Coach of the Year.
Willamette is currently 18-18 on the season. The Bearcats earned an 11-13 record in Northwest Conference action (6th place tie). Willamette will conclude the season with a three-game, non-conference series against Pacific at John Lewis Field on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1. The Bearcats and the Boxers will play two games on Saturday starting at 12 p.m. (PDT), followed by one game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Second Team All-Northwest Conference
Eric Del Prado (So., 1B) leads the Bearcats with a .354 batting average, 45 hits and 127 at bats. He has recorded a team-high 29 RBIs and has scored 21 runs for the Bearcats. He is tied for the team lead with five home runs and is second with eight doubles. He hit .385 in NWC games.
Del Prado has provided the Bearcats with a .407 on-base percentage and a .535 slugging percentage, while playing in 33 games with 30 starts. On defense, he leads the team with 276 putouts and has attained .983 fielding percentage.
He saw limited action as a freshman in 2015. He played in 16 game with four starts, and had just 28 at bats. On defense, he registered 36 putouts and three assists with no errors.
"Eric had a great season and is beyond deserving of this recognition," Willamette Head Coach Aaron Swick said. "To go from 28 at bats as a freshmen to one of the best hitters in the conference as a sophomore is a direct result of his hard work and dedication. It's going to be fun watching him over the next two years."
In two seasons at Willamette, Del Prado has earned a .316 career batting average with 49 hits and 33 RBIs. He owns a career .985 fielding percentage with 312 putouts and 13 assists.
Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference
Mason Fessler (So., 3B) has contributed a .344 batting average for the Bearcats this season. He has earned 42 hits and while pounding out a team-high 10 doubles. His five home runs are tied for the team lead.
He ranks first on the team with a .566 slugging percentage and also leads the Bearcats with a .437 on-base percentage. He is tied for the team lead with 24 runs scored and ranks third with 21 RBis. He has recorded 37 assists and 14 putouts on defense.
During his first two years at Willamette, he has played in 70 games with 61 starts. This year, he leads the team with 35 games played. He has made 33 starts. He owns a .308 career batting average with 68 hits, 32 runs scored, 17 doubles and 37 RBIs.
