By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Luke Werkmeister-Martin (So., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) from Willamette University has been named Third Team CoSIDA Baseball Academic All-America for NCAA Division III as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America for the 2021 season. A total of 34 student-athletes were honored as NCAA Division III Baseball All-America selections, with 11 on the First Team, 12 on the Second Team, and 11 on the Third Team.
Werkmeister-Martin has achieved a 3.92 cumulative grade point average while working on a double major in Data Science and Economics. He was chosen for the Academic All-America Team as an infielder after playing as a starter at first base for the Bearcats.
Willamette completed the 2021 season with a 30-15 record. The Bearcats were 21-11 (3rd place) in the Northwest Conference, qualified for the NWC Tournament, and reached the NWC Tournament championship game. The Bearcats achieved a 17-7 record in home games at John Lewis Field, went 10-6 in road games, and finished 3-2 in neutral-site games. Willamette scored 343 runs, belted a school record 68 homers, and tied a school record with 97 doubles. On defense, WU limited opponents to a .285 batting average.
Third Team CoSIDA NCAA Division III Baseball Academic All-America
Werkmeister-Martin earned Academic All-America honors after recently being named First Team CoSIDA NCAA Division III Academic All-District VIII. He was chosen NCAA Division III Third Team All-America by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). He was selected First Team All-West Region by the ABCA and by D3baseball.com. He received Second Team All-NWC honors.
"It is quite an accomplishment to be recognized as an All-American on the field. It is just as impressive to be recognized as an All-American in the classroom as well," Willamette Head Baseball Coach Aaron Swick said. "To do both of those in the same season is an incredible feat and I couldn't be more proud or happy for Luke to be recognized."
This year, Werkmeister-Martin led the Bearcats with a .379 batting average and tied for the team lead with 46 runs scored. He tied a Willamette single season record with 64 hits. He blasted 10 homers and 13 doubles for 23 extra-base hits. He attained a .633 slugging percentage to go with a .429 on-base percentage. He registered 36 RBIs, walked 15 times, and went 7 for 7 on stolen bases. He played in all 45 games and made 44 starts.
Werkmeister-Martin opened the season with a 16-game hitting streak. He ended the year with an eight-game hitting streak that included all five NWC Tournament games. His 169 at bats placed him fifth on Willamette's single season list. He provided at least one hit in 39 games and had 16 multiple-hit performances, including a 4-for-5 effort against Pacific Lutheran University on March 20.
At first base, he contributed 322 putouts and a solid .994 fielding percentage. He helped the Bearcats turn 28 double plays. He finished the year ranked seventh on WU's single season lists for putouts and double plays. He earned 14 putouts in a 6-2, 12-inning win over Pacific Lutheran in the NWC Tournament on May 13. He recorded 12 putouts in four games during the season. Overall, he was credited with 10 or more putouts 13 times.
Werkmeister-Martin's career statistics include a .381 batting average, 80 hits, 55 runs, 45 RBIs, 17 doubles, and 10 homers. He has provided 361 putouts on defense while attaining a .992 career fielding percentage. He has walked 18 times and is 9 for 9 on stolen bases. He has played in 58 games with 52 starts.
NOTE: The class year listed is for the 2020-21 academic year.
