• By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University's Benjamin Whitten (Sr., RHP, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) has been named Northwest Conference Baseball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week after earning the win in the Bearcats' 13-3 road victory over Lewis & Clark College in a game that began on Saturday, March 1 and was completed on Sunday, March 2. Whitten was the starting pitcher in the Northwest Conference game, and went five innings on Saturday before giving way to relief pitching. The game was suspended in the bottom of the sixth inning and resumed the next day.

During his five innings on the mound, Whitten held the Pioneers scoreless while allowing just three hits. He struck out four batters and gave up two walks.

Whitten improved to 4-0 on the season. He has struck out 17 batters in 22 1/3 innings pitched this season, while holding opponents to a .247 batting average.

Willamette went 2-1 against the Pioneers to improve to 7-6 overall and to 4-2 in the NWC. The Bearcats will host NWC rival Linfield College in a three-game series at John Lewis Field this weekend, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 7. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. (PST). The series will conclude with one game on Sunday, March 8 beginning at 12 p.m. (PDT).