Baseball: Arizonan thrives at Bellevue

When Louie Templeton didn't have enough credits to attend Oral Roberts, he took a chance on playing baseball for Bellevue University.

Things turned out well. The 22-year-old shortstop from Phoenix hit .413, slammed eight home runs and stole 24 bases. He was chosen as the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference player of the year.

Although it was his first year at Bellevue, after two years at junior college in Arizona, coaches in the state noticed his skills. He was voted honorary captain of the NAIA All-Nebraska baseball team.

“I had a good time, and we had a good team,'' he said. “They gave me an opportunity to move on to the next level, and that's all I could ask for.''

Templeton takes pride in his defense, and he loves to steal bases. He got the green light from Bellevue coaches.

“I learned a lot about base-stealing and small ball at Bellevue,'' Templeton said. “It was real exciting. I know next year we're going to be just as good and have a chance to go to the World Series.''

Templeton said he's honing his skills this summer playing summer ball for the Kelowna Falcons of British Columbia. The team is part of the West Coast League, which is played mainly in Washington and Oregon.

Although he's struggled a bit with his hitting, Templeton said it's still early. He's been playing about every game and says he'll be in good shape after playing a 56-game schedule.

“You just get experience by playing a lot of very good quality players and good teams daily,'' he said.

Templeton said it's been his dream since he was small to play big league baseball. He caught the bug while watching his dad, Louis, play competitive slow-pitch softball.

That's why he's working hard this summer — so he can produce another strong spring next season and, with luck, get noticed by major league scouts.

“I don't ever get tired of it. I love it,'' Templeton said. “It's where I'm happiest — when I'm out on the ballfield.''

Contact the writer:

444-1034, marjie.ducey@owh.com

NAIA ALL-NEBRASKA TEAM

P: Luis Castillo, Bellevue 8-2

P: Bryant McCann, Hastings 7-3

P: Zane Cascini, Nebraska Wesleyan 6-3

C: Brett Chamberlain, Bellevue .346

1B: Matt Huggins, Midland Lutheran .398

2B: Jake Jadlowski, Bellevue, .378

SS: Louie Templeton, Bellevue .413

3B: Cory Hilgenkamp, Nebraska Wesleyan .372

OF: Justin Long, Bellevue .350

OF: Langston Frison, York College .383

OF: Lucas McCain, Midland Lutheran .377

OF: Blake Snow, Doane .378

OF: Matty Johnson, Bellevue .431

DH: Mike Mendenhall, Doane .354

U: Adam Janky, York College .416

Honorary captain: Louie Templeton, Bellevue University

Honorable mention: Drew Farley, Tyler Goodro, Tuckett Slade, Jerrod White, Bellevue; Jamie Dillard, Jack Holmberg, Concordia; Chase Hunter, Alex Johnson, Justin Nicola, Drew Petersen, Dana College; Luke Henderson, Anthony Hincy, Jason West, Doane; Joe Jeanjaquet, A.J. Clark, Hastings College; Wes Drumm, Midland Lutheran; Max Hubka, Jeremy Peters, Tyler Stephenson, Nebraska Wesleyan; Gary Hall, Mark Houck, Yimy Rodriguez, Peru State; Nick Caravelli, Keven Ricketts, York College.

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