Posted by Press Democrat Staff Writer Michael Coit:

Enjoying a fine first season at UC San Diego, former All-Empire baseball player Aaron Bauman helped lead the Tritons to a runner-up finish in the NCAA Division II National Championships and took home several honors.

A junior from Mendocino high, Bauman transferred to UC San Diego from Santa Barbara City College. He started in the Tritons’ outfield from game one this season.

Batting .413, he led UC San Diego with a .553 on base percentage, was second in steals and third in runs scored. Bauman also hit 8 home runs and had 46 runs batted in for the season.

The nation’s top ranked team, UC San Diego won a second consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament title and also repeated as NCAA West Regional champions, earning a repeat trip to the NCAA finals. The Tritons finished 54-8 after losing to Southern Indiana in the championship game, in Cary, N.C.

Bauman earned honorable mention All-American honors after being named to the All-CCAA first team and receiving West Region recognition.

This summer Bauman is playing for the Denver Cougars in the Rocky Mountain League, a collegiate circuit.