Himuro Named NWC Baseball Hitter Student-Athlete of the Week

By Brandon Chinn, Athletics Communications Writer

SALEM, ORE. -- After contributing mightily to the Bearcats offensive outburst in a three game sweep against Whitman College, Rolenn Himuro (Jr., OF, Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou School) has been named the Northwest Conference Baseball Hitter Student-Athlete of the Week for April 12-13.

Himuro hit .500 (7 of 14) throughout the week, which included a non-conference game against Pacific University and a three game series against Whitman in Walla Walla, Wash.

He notched at least one hit in all four of Willamette's games, including two hits apiece in each of the three conference matchups.

Out of his seven hits, Himuro belted two doubles and two triples as he finished the weekend with a .929 slugging percentage.

Himuro helped play a big role in Willamette's massive run production throughout the weekend. He contributed six RBIs and scored three times.

In total, the Bearcats scored 27 runs in the three game series.

After the hot weekend, Himuro upped his season average to .267 (28 for 105). He now has six doubles, and 14 runs batted in.

Completing their fourth NWC sweep in as many weekends, the Bearcats have moved back into second place in the Northwest Conference standings.

They trail only Linfield College, which is ranked first in the country according to D3baseball.com.

Riding the 12-game conference win streak, Willamette boasts a record of 20-11, including 13-4 in the NWC. The Bearcats ended the 2013 campaign with a 20-20 overall record.

Willamette kicks off a busy week of baseball with a non-conference game against Lewis & Clark College on Tuesday, April 15 at 6 p.m.

Although the 'Cats will play as the designated home team, the game is scheduled to be played at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer, Ore.

The Bearcats will then turn their attention to a full weekend of conference play.

WU welcomes Whitworth University to John Lewis Field on Friday, April 18 for a three game series. The doubleheader is scheduled for Friday at 12 p.m. (PDT), while the final game will be played on Saturday at 12 p.m.

Willamette also plays on Easter Sunday, taking on Pacific Lutheran University in a rescheduled game after the original contest was rained out back on March 2. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.