Photo courtesy of Jake Schultz, West Central Tribune
Kentucky infielder Luke Becker is beginning to find his rhythm in the competitive Northwoods League. Becker joined the Willmar Stingers a couple of weeks after the summer schedule had begun, due to the Wildcats advancing in the NCAA Tournament.
Becker, a junior from Fairmont, MN., has been an on base machine for the Stingers this summer; reaching base in all twenty-five games he has appeared in. The switch hitter will be a key piece to the UK lineup next spring and is looking to build on the extra at bats he is receiving this summer.
Through twenty-five games this summer, Becker owns a .253 average, which is down from .304 last summer, but his numbers across the board are excellent. He has 20 (hits), 20 (runs), 3 (HR’s), 13 (RBI), 28 (walks), and only 9 (K’s). Becker’s walk to strikeout ratio is 3.11, a huge improvement from last summers 0.75 mark.
Becker showed how productive he could be in back-to-back victories vs. La Crosse. The Stinger infielder had 3 (hits), 2 (walks), 4 (RBI), and a solo home run, which came in tonight’s series finale.
Becker, who battled elbow issues this season at UK, will move around the diamond to replace the departed Riley Mahan at second base. Becker had a solid junior season for the Wildcats, mostly holding down the DH role. Becker hit .287 with 7 (HR’s), 46 (RBI), 37 (walks), and owned a .422 (OBP).
Becker is getting hot at the right time, as the Stingers are only two games back of first place Mankato in the North Division. The Stingers have won four straight, including eight of their last ten to climb into contention. Becker and the Stingers will return to action on Monday night vs. Rochester at 7:05 p.m. central time.
