BELLEVUE, Neb. — Bellevue University baseball coach Duane Monlux announced today the signing of Balas Buckmaster (Anchorage, Alaska/University of Antelope Valley) to a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic careers at Bellevue beginning this fall.
Buckmaster comes to Bellevue from University of Antelope Valley in Lancaster, Calif. In 51 career games at the NAIA level he has hit .372 with an OPS of 1.090, 18 extra-base hits, 34 RBI, 41 runs scored, and nine stolen bases.
He brings some familiarity with the North Star having played shortstop at Dickinson State University during the 2023 season before transferring to Antelope Valley.
Coach Monlux on Buckmaster:
“We are excited that Balas has decided to join the Bruin family for his senior season of competition. He is an older player that has played a lot of college baseball. His previous school (Univ. of Antelope Valley) unfortunately closed their doors in the spring of 2024 opening up the opportunity for Balas to have one more season of competition. We are no stranger to his abilities, as he played for fellow North Star opponent Dickinson State in the spring of 2023, earning 2nd team NSAA honors. In his two seasons competing at the NAIA level, he has boasted over a .370 average with 8 homers and 10 doubles. He is expected to be a guy that will come in and compete for a middle infield spot for us.”
Buckmaster joins previously announced signees Kody Butt (LHP, St. John’s, Newfoundland/Williston State College), Cannon Close (RHP, Bonney Lake, Wash./Olympic College), Gage Ingram (RHP, Papillion, Neb./University of Nebraska Omaha), Rafael Nakandakari (MIF, Brasilia, Dominican Republic/Lakeland Community College), Jaylan Ruffin (OF, North Platte, Neb./Northeastern Junior College), Christian Sabagala (RHP, Las Vegas, Nev./Umpqua Community College), Elijah Tanner (OF, Kennewick, Wash./Whitworth University), and Nolan Walther (C/IF, Carriere, Miss./Southwest Mississippi Community College) in the Bruins’ 2024 recruiting class.
Bellevue finished the 2024 seasons with a 39-14 overall record, going 21-2 in NSAA play to capture both the regular season and tournament titles. The Bruins, who spent the entire season ranked inside the top 20 of the NAIA Coaches’ Poll, made their 26th appearance in the NAIA National Tournament where they competed in the Opening Round – Williamsburg Bracket.
