SS/2B Kazama signs National LOI with Bruins

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Bellevue University baseball coach Duane Monlux announced today the signing of Wataru Kazama (Tokyo, Japan/Sussex County CC) to a National Letter of Intent to continue his baseball and academic careers at Bellevue beginning in the fall.

Kazama comes to Bellevue from Sussex County Community College in Newton, N.J. Over the course of his two seasons with the Skylanders Kazama, a 5-8, 155-pound middle infielder posted a .347/.455/.522 slash line. He was named to the NJCAA Region XIX first team as an infielder this past season.

In 58 career games he piled up 20 extra-base hits, 35 RBI, scored 52 runs, and swiped 19 bases in 21 attempts. Kazama showed great plate discipline striking out just 21 times (just once every 10.62 plate appearances) and drawing 27 walks in 223 plate appearances.

Coach Monlux on Kazama:

"We are really excited about signing Wataru to a letter of intent for the upcoming school year. He is a versatile infielder that has played both second base and shortstop at a high level. He is a solid player offensively that has shown the ability to hit for average, power, and can steal bases. We are looking forward to getting Wataru on campus in the fall."

Kazama joins previously announced signees Hunter Jury (C; Davis, Calif.), Colton Walker (RHP; Goldendale, Wash.), Anthony Alvarado (LHP; Wapato, Wash.), Cody Banks (3B; Duvall, Wash.), and Derek Browne (RHP; Maple Valley, Wash.) in the Bruins 2018 recruiting class.

Bellevue wrapped up the 2018 season with a 38-23 overall record (17-5 NSAA) and won their second North Star Tournament in the last three seasons. The Bruins earned their eighth-straight NAIA Opening Round bid and 21^st NAIA National Tournament Appearance in the program's storied history.

Sussex County CC Stats: