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Western Illinois University Athletics

2023 Baseball Roster

Rachael Keating
Rachael Keating
Sarah Ritter
Rachael Keating
Rachael Keating
Rachael Keating

5 Derek Botaletto

  • Position Shortstop
  • Height 6-4
  • Hometown Omaha, Neb.
  • High School Millard North HS
  • Prev School Northeast CC
  • Class Senior
  • Weight 185

Biography

JUNIOR (2022): Named Summit League All-Academic Team ... Played in each of the team’s 52 games, starting 51… hit .284 across 183 total at-bats, recording 52 hits and six for extra bases… hit a home run in the second game of the season against Western Kentucky, sending a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall… 14 multi-hit games, including four games with three-plus… best hitting performance of the season came against Murray State on May 15, going 4-4 with two doubles and a season-high three RBIs.

2021: Summit League All-Academic Team... started his Western career with a bang, going 4-5 in the season-opening win over nationally-ranked Louisville (Feb. 26)... scored four runs and stole a base in that same performance... started in all 31 of his appearances... a top-five Leatherneck in batting average (.279), slugging percentage (.297), hits (31), doubles (2), and total bases (33)... went 3-3 with two RBI at North Dakota State (April 10).

BEFORE WESTERN: Played at Northeast CC (2019-20)… has three years of eligibility… appeared in 75 games… batted .302… had 74 hits and 37 RBI… was an ICCAC Honorable Mention and Academic All-Region First Team in 2019… led the country in sac bunts… scored 57 runs… hit .400 at the JUCO World Series.  

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned two varsity letters in baseball at Millard North… named Academic All-State twice… two-time All-State Honorable Mention… maintained a 4.0 GPA all four years… ended as a career .380 hitter… owned a 24 game hit streak in sophomore season… also received two varsity letters in basketball.

PERSONAL: Born July 15, 2000… son of Scott and Vanda Botaletto… committed to Western because “The university and town seemed to be a great fit for me. Also the coaching staff is sincere and has the program moving in the right direction.”... favorite sports memory was making the 2019 JUCO World Series… says family is the biggest influence, “They have always supported me 100 percent and gave me the confidence to perform at a high level”... hobbies include grilling, basketball, being outdoors and Netflix… plans to major in exercise science. 

Statistics

Season:
2023

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 5

    2021Sophomore

    Infielder
    6'3" 175 lbs
    5
  • 5

    2022Junior

    Infielder
    6'3" 175 lbs
    5
  • 5

    2023Senior

    Shortstop
    6'4" 185 lbs
    5