Bontempo inks contract with Puerto Rico Islanders

Bellevue University All-American Derik Bontempo has signed a professional contract with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the Empire Professional Baseball League.

As a senior Bontempo racked up numerous honors, including being named; First Team NAIA All-America, NSAA Player of the Year, First Team all-NSAA, Captain of the Omaha World-Herald NAIA All-Nebraska Team, NAIA National Player of the Week (Apr. 4), and four times NSAA Player of the Week (Mar. 13, Apr. 3, Apr. 10, Apr. 24).

As a junior, Bontempo earned NAIA Opening Round all-tournament team honors, was a First Team all-NSAA selection, Captain of the Omaha World-Herald NAIA All-Nebraska Team, and NSAA Player of the Week (May 10).

During the 2017 season, Bontempo led the team in 12 major offensive categories, including; batting average (.436), on-base percentage (.498), slugging percentage (.821), OPS (1.319), hits (95), runs (69), doubles (21), home runs (19), extra-base hits (43), RBI (72), total bases (179), and sac flies (8).

Bontempo closed his BU career with an impressive .425/.479/.727 slash line that saw him total 75 extra-base hits, including 30 home runs, and 149 RBI in 128 career games.

The Islanders are a travelling team based out of Puerto Rico playing against teams based out of Maine and New York. Currently the Islanders are in fourth place in the four-team league.

Bellevue wrapped up the 2017 campaign with a 51-11 overall record. The Bruins went 23-1 in NSAA play, taking home the conference regular-season crown and advancing to the NAIA National Tournament for the 19^th time in school history. BU was ranked No. 11 in the NAIA Post-Season Top 25 Poll.