Sunday, January 17, 2016

Veteran Profile - Nick Gotta


Veteran Profile - Nick Gotta

Maryville, Mo. - Nick Gotta earned the starting short stop job in 2015, his first year with Northwest Missouri State University.  Nick enters the 2016 as a Senior.  Gotta transferred to Northwest from Fulton Community College in California.  The native of San Diego, California, stands 5'10" and weighs 170 lbs.



2015
Honorable mention All-MIAA ... named an MIAA Scholar Athlete ... appeared in all 48 games making 47 starts at shortstop ... hit .328 with 57 hits, 11 doubles, two triples and two home runs ... tallied 78 total bases with 35 runs scored and 19 RBI ... drew 33 walks ... stole seven bases ... had 100 assists and maintained a 90.5 fielding percentage ... had 16 multi-hit games during the year ... tallied five multi-RBI games ... went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, a double and an RBI against UNK (March 13) ... was 2-for-4 with three RBI a run scored, a walk and a home run against Cameron (Feb. 13).


Nick was the answer to the Bearcats' prayers on who would fill the void left when Cameron Bedard graduated following the 2014 season.  Nick provided defensive stability and an offensive spark that carried the Bearcats in 2015.  Nick Gotta is probably the Bearcats best professional prospect as a position player.  Nick's talent, skill, maturity, want to, approach, offense, and defense lead him to be the Bearcats top returning offensive player from 2015.


Nick's first year in the MIAA was memorable - 3rd on the team in batting average, 4th in slugging percentage, 2nd in on-base percentage, 2nd in runs scored, 3rd in hits, 3rd in triples, 3rd in doubles, 3rd in total bases, 1st in walks, 5th in hit by pitches, 2nd in sacrifice bunts, 2nd in stolen bases, 1st in steal attempts, 2nd in starts, 1st in games played, and 1st in at bats.  In total, Nick hit .328, appeared in 48 games and started 47, 174 at bats, 35 runs scored, 57 hits, 11 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 19 RBIs, 78 total bases, .448 slugging percentage, 33 walks, 5 hit by pitches, and .448 on-base percentage.


Nick is the team leader on the Bearcats.  His play on the field, and demeanor in the dugout, attracts greatness around him.  The B2R is a huge fan of Nick Gotta.  The kid flat out busts his butt in every game and every day.  There were a lot of questions heading into 2015 as to who would fill the huge shoes of Cameron Bedard.  Nick Gotta answered those questions with solid defense, great offense, and being effectively ornery on the base paths.  The B2R digs a guy that loves to play baseball.  Nick Gotta loves to play baseball.  Following the 2015 NCAA season, Nick played summer ball in the Northwoods League and a Canadian wood bat league.  Gotta came back to Northwest in great shape.  Nick is your consummate Alpha-male.  Type-A personality.  Lead dog.  Northwest will go as far as Nick Gotta's glove, arm, legs, and bat can take them.  Hopefully with additional exposure to pro scouts, Bearcat fans can watch Gotta for years and years following his graduation from Northwest Missouri State.  Until then, appreciate the special talent wearing green and white today with Nick's Senior season in 2016.

Go Cats!!
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