Makarus, Burnette sweep Frontier Conference weekly awards

HELENA, Mont. -- Bellevue University junior Ayden Makarus (Okotoks, Alberta) and senior Brody Burnette (Kansas City, Mo.) have been named the Frontier Conference Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.

Makarus and Burnette led the 22-ranked Bruins to a 5-0 week last week including a four-game sweep of #25 Central Methodist in Fayette, Mo. It was the first team the Eagles had been swept in a home series in 11 years.

Makarus hit .500 with seven extra-base hits, including four home runs, 14 RBI, and nine runs scored while stacking up an 1.833 OPS in Bellevue's five victories. He had at least one extra-base hit, RBI, and run scored in all five games and tallied three multi-hit games on the week.

On the season, Makarus is hitting .432 with a 1.412 OPS, both good for second on the team. He leads the club with 23 RBI, is tied for first with six home runs, and ranks second with four doubles, four stolen bases, and 15 runs scored while his 19 hits are good for third.

Burnette appeared in three games in relief last week, earning the victory in a wild midweek win over Briar Cliff. He came on in a high-leverage eighth and induced an immediate double play as her retired all five hitters he faced. He earned saves in both the series opener and finale against Central Methodist, striking out three and allowing just two hits in 2.1 combined innings of work.

For the year, Burnette is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and six saves across 9.1 innings of work. He has struck out 11 against just one walk and has help opponents to a .167 batting average.

The Bruins are 12-2 overall with the new GoRout NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 Poll set to be released on Wednesday. Bellevue returns to action later this week when they kick off a seven-game swing through Florida on their Spring Break trip. The trip opens with a three-game series at #8 Webber International University at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 5.