By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University sophomore Luke Werkmeister-Martin (So., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) has been named Third Team All-America for NCAA Division III as selected by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) for the 2021 season. Werkmeister-Martin led the Bearcats with a .379 batting average and 64 hits. He tied for the team lead with 46 runs scored.
A total of 50 student-athletes were selected for the 2021 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division III All-America Team. The First Team included 15 players, with 20 players on the Second Team, and 15 players on the Third Team.
"I was really surprised and excited to be named an All-American," Werkmeister-Martin said. "It's always a pleasant surprise to see the hard work pay off. Most of all, I was grateful. I can't put into words how thankful I am for everything my family, coaches, and teammates have done to help me get to this point. I know I wouldn't be half the person or player I am without these amazing people in my life."
Werkmeister-Martin helped Willamette earn a 30-15 overall record, including a 21-11 (3rd place) record in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats reached the NWC Tournament championship game. During the season, Willamette went 17-7 at John Lewis Field, achieved a 10-6 road record, and finished 3-2 in neutral-site games.
"Luke has all of the traits a coach hopes for in a player," Willamette Head Baseball Coach Aaron Swick noted. "He works hard, is a great teammate, brings energy and fun to the clubhouse, and wants to win. He had a great season. It seemed as if he was in the middle of a lot of our big innings. To be recognized as an All-American, and to only be a sophomore, is a pretty amazing accomplishment."
Third Team All-America
Luke Werkmeister-Martin (So., 1B) contributed at the plate in a variety of ways. He smacked 10 home runs and 13 doubles on his way to a .633 slugging percentage. He walked 15 times and had a .429 on-base percentage. His 46 runs and 36 RBIs allowed him to have a direct impact on 82 of Willamette's school record 343 runs. He led Willamette with four sacrifice flies. He was 7 for 7 on stolen bases. He began the season with a 16-game hitting streak and ended the season with an eight-game hitting streak that included all five NWC Tournament games.
He tied a school record with his 64 hits, while his 169 at bats placed him fifth on WU's all-time single season list. He also tied for fifth place with his 46 runs.
This spring, Werkmeister-Martin played in all 45 games with 44 starts. He registered at least one hit in 39 games. On defense, he led the Bearcats with 322 putouts and a .994 fielding percentage. He helped turn 28 double plays. He ranks seventh on Willamette's single season lists for putouts and double plays.
Werkmeister-Martin was selected First Team All-West Region by the ABCA and by D3baseball.com. He was named Second Team All-NWC.
In two seasons with the Bearcats, Werkmeister-Martin has attained a .381 career batting average while competing in 58 games with 52 starts. His career totals also include 80 hits, 55 runs, and 45 RBIs. He has pounded 17 doubles and 27 extra-base hits. He has accumulated 361 putouts and a .992 career fielding percentage.
Werkmeister-Martin said that several factors contributed to the Bearcats having a great season this spring.
"One key to our success was the culture of the team," Werkmeister-Martin commented. "We had an amazing group of guys who made it fun to come to the field every day. Not only did we have fun together, but there was a collective mentality that we were all working as hard as we could for a common goal. Guys were always getting to the field early and staying late to get stronger in the weight room or work on their swings. Another factor that contributed to our success was the hard work of our coaches. Coach Swick, Coach Mikey Nantze, and Coach Connor Bailey went above and beyond every single week to make sure there was never a team more prepared than us."
The team's success also benefited from Werkmeister-Martin's efforts on and off the field. He led by example and helped his teammates improve.
"I think one of my most important contributions to the team this year was the ability to get on base so that the amazing hitters behind me could drive me in," Werkmeister-Martin said. "Another contribution I had was on defense. Coming into this season, I hadn't played much first base at Willamette, so I worked hard to improve there to help the team win."
It was a lot of work for Werkmeister-Martin and his teammates. Even so, the season was fun and exciting as the team bonded and gained confidence by winning eight one-run games.
"My favorite part about this season was my teammates," Werkmeister-Martin asserted. "In all my years of playing baseball, I've never been on a team like this one. I genuinely loved going to the field every day, I loved every team meal at Panda, and I loved every chance we got to hang out."
