Featured Senior: Benjamin Whitten

What was your most memorable moment throughout your career at Willamette?

Winning the Northwest Conference Tournament in 2018 after coming up short the previous year

Describe your feelings when you found out the season was canceled.

Disappointment and confusion

How have you been handling life in quarantine? Are you home or on campus? What's it like learning online and not having practice?

I have been sleeping a lot, reading, and going on runs. I'm living in Salem off campus. Learning online has been harder for me because there are more distractions. It's been strange not having practice. It just ended and that was it.

What has your experience as a Bearcat taught you?

Help others out because so many people are going the extra mile for me and my teammates.

If you could leave one piece of advice for future Bearcats, what would it be?

Make as many friends as you can.

What are your future plans following graduation?

Finish the 3/2 MBA program.

From their teammates

What was your most memorable moment of Benjamin?

Ryan Whithorn: The man was so good. He was having a monster year. During one of his quality outings on the mound his cleat was untied. So he sat down on top of the mound, in the middle of an at bat and tied his cleat. It was just hilarious. It was his world.

Justin Miller: Hitting a home run in pitchers batting practice

Trevor Burrows: When I was a freshman, Ben asked me to go take some pictures of him with the flowers in the Botans. You could say our friendship blossomed after that.

Ben Setlak: When he sat on the ground to tie his shoe in the middle of the game

How has Benjamin impacted you in your sport or in life?

Ryan Whithorn: Always a guy that didn't say much, but it was always a great time just talking with him.

Justin Miller: Challenged me to work harder

Ben Setlak: He has taught me that some people just don't look good with long hair.

What makes Benjamin special?

Ryan Whithorn: He always had fun and never got too nervous and spazzed out. Dude was as cool and calm as could be.

Justin Miller: Calmness and ability to stay focus on the small things

Trevor Burrows: Ben doesn't care what other people think, and you can have an intelligent conversation with him on any topic.

Ben Setlak: He was always really entertaining on team trips.

Matt Pisacane: When you interact with Ben there is never a dull moment. He always has something interesting to say or a clever point to add that keeps the conversation going. Ben is a calm and collected individual who is not afraid to make a witty joke to lighten the mood. Ben was able to hold people accountable while being respectful at the same time.

Is there anything Benjamin brought to the program that will have a lasting impact?

Ryan Whithorn: Hopefully guys took notes. He is someone to emulate on the mound. Absolute beast!

Justin Miller: Great attitude and great pre-practice/pre-game music

Matt Pisacane: Ben never lost his composure on the mound even when he was in a tough, spot and that is something that all our pitchers can model their game off of.