Nelson Earns NWC Baseball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week with Shutout Win

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Brandon Nelson (So., RHP, Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) of Willamette University has been chosen as the NWC Baseball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week after earning a complete-game shutout victory at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Friday, March 17.

Nelson pitched all nine innings in the 5-0 win. He allowed just two hits -- both singles -- and faced only three batters above the minimum. He registered four strikeouts and did not allow a walk. The Bearcats held a slim 2-0 lead until a three-run, inside-the-park homer by Connor Bailey (So., LF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) in the top of the ninth inning.

"Brandon was dominant on Friday," Willamette Head Coach Aaron Swick said. "He established his fastball early and had great command of his curveball."

The complete game by Nelson took place in Orange, California, about 42 miles from his hometown of Murrieta, California. Several members of Nelson's family attended the game.

Nelson has achieved a 4.02 earned run average this season. He has struck out 22 batters in 31 1/3 innings pitched.

The Bearcats are 16-8 on the season and 9-3 in the Northwest Conference. They will take on George Fox University in a three-game NWC series this weekend in Newberg, Oregon, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 25. Willamette and GFU will complete the series with one game on Sunday, March 26. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT) each day.