Bellevue College’s baseball team recently had four players accept scholarship offers, signing during the NCAA Division I early signing period. Left-handed pitcher Brian Buckham signed with the University of Oregon. He is not only the first Bellevue player to play for the Ducks, but he is also the first pitcher from the NWAACC to receive a scholarship from U of O since the rebirth of their program. Buckham also considered scholarship offers from Hawaii and Oklahoma State before choosing Oregon. Buckham will anchor this year’s pitching staff after contributing to the NWAACC Championship efforts in ’07. He was the #3 starter that year behind two pitchers who are now pitching professionally (Mike Lee, Brad Reid) and sat out the ’08 season after breaking his foot before the season opener.
Infielder Bryan Barnes, who has yet to play an official game for Bellevue, has already accepted a scholarship to play next year at Ohio University. A highly-touted shortstop out of Mountlake Terrace HS, Barnes is a transfer to Bellevue from Gonzaga, and will graduate this spring after one season with the Bulldogs.
Fellow infielder Keegan Acker, who progressed more than any player on the team last year, has signed with Centenary College in Shreveport, LA. Although Acker has transitioned to third base for this upcoming season, he is slated to return to second base next year at Centenary, where he won the starting spot in ’08.
Pitcher Cody Goodfellow, who has developed immensely from his high school days, has accepted a scholarship to pitch at Seattle University next year. The right-handed pitcher had an outstanding fall camp and has showed even more improvement from last spring.
The four early commits are a reflection of an anticipated experience-laden club for ’09. The squad features 21 graduating sophomores, and only 9 true freshmen.
Check back in mid- to late-December for the upcoming ’09 season preview and individual player profiles on the roster page.
Last Updated November 1, 2013
