Bellevue University baseball coach Duane Monlux announced Decatur graduate Derik Bontempo has signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Bellevue in the fall of 2015.

Bontempo, a 5-foot, 11-inch, 190 pound outfielder, played two seasons at Tacoma Community College.

He was twice named to the all-Northwest Athletic Conference West Region team earning first team honors last season and second team in 2014.

He appeared in 42 games last season and posted a .304 batting average with 31 runs and 46 RBIs.

He totaled 19 extra-base hits, nine doubles, six triples and four home runs, for a slugging average of .527.

Bontempo possesses good plate discipline, striking out 24 times and reaching base on walks or hit by pitch 24 times for a .399 on-base percentage.

In his two seasons at Tacoma, Bontempo was a career .315 hitter with 29 extra-base hits, 17 doubles, six triples and six home runs, while driving in 65 and scoring 48 runs. He stole 11 bases in 76 games.

“Derik is another quality signing that we have from the NWAC,” Bontempo said. “We have had a lot of great players from the Pacific Northwest that have played at Bellevue in the past and ones that are currently on our roster. We expect Derik to be right up there with those players. He had two very good seasons at Tacoma Community College. He will step in and compete for a spot in our outfield for next year.”

Bellevue went 46-15 (18-6 MCAC) this past season while winning the final MCAC Tournament with an 18-6 record.

The team hosted the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round and reached the final game before falling to Tabor College.