NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene University is excited to announce that Derek Bettinson has signed a National Letter-of-Intent to attend NNU and play baseball for the Crusaders this fall.

Bettinson (1B, L/R, 6'0, 190, Boise, ID) is a 2007 graduate of Centennial High School and also attended Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon.  At BMCC, Derek earned first-team All-NWAACC East Region honors as a freshman in 2008 and second-team All-NWAACC East Region recognition as a sophomore during the 2009 season.

“Derek is a phenomenal hitter and RBI machine who will provide us with a lot of production in the middle of the lineup,” commented NNU head coach Tim Onofrei.  “We expect him to be an immediate impact guy for us next year.”

Bettinson hit .321 with 59 hits and 34 RBI in his rookie year and followed with a .354 average as a sophomore that included 24 extra-base hits and 32 RBI. 

Derek is the son of Ken and Sue Bettinson of Boise and plans to major in Recreation and Sports Management this fall.