Duane Monlux, Head Coach at Dickinson State for the past nine season, is the new Head Coach at Bellevue.
Monlux had a record of 232-167-2 at Dickinson State, and the Blue Hawks won three regular season and three tournament championships in the Dakota Athletic Conference. They finished 30-19 in 2010.
Monlux earned a BS at Dickinson State, and played football, baseball, and basketball there. He was a two-time All-American in football; in 1995, he led the nation in kickoff return average (33.7 yards per return). He ranks second in Dickinson State football history for touchdowns scored in a career (43) and points scored in a career (262). After graduation, he played indoor football for four seasons. He was also an assistant football coach at Dickinson State.
The hiring of Monlux ends an unpleasant chapter in Bellevue baseball history. Toward the end of the 2010 season, the Bruins were 35-7, ranked #6 in the NAIA (#15 in ISR), and appeared headed for a trip to the Baseball National Championship in Lewiston. However, Jon Reed, a transfer from Sam Houston State, who was leading the team in hitting with a .492 average, was ruled ineligible because the necessary paperwork for the transfer had not been done. Bellevue had to forfeit all but three of their wins, and didn't qualify for the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.
The forfeiture was appealed by then-Bellevue Head Coach Mike Evans. This appeal forced the NAIA to delay the final poll of the season by one day. This poll is used to determine seeding in the NAIA's Opening Round Tournaments, and the delay disrupted travel plans for Opening Round participants. Reed's ineligibility and Evans' appeal led to his resignation at Bellevue.
The long vacancy cost the Bruins the services of RHP Maxx Catapano, who was 5-1, 2.98 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings pitched last season. He had an excellent summer with the Falmouth Commodores of the New England Collegiate Baseball League; he was Pitcher of the Week twice. Catapano transferred to Lee.
However, Monlux still starts with some talent and a very good early-season schedule. Their ERA and saves leader last season, LHP Jake Aylward (5-0, 1.50 ERA, five saves), is returning. Also returning is 1B/RHP Brandon Thompson, who batted .381, hit seven home runs, and made five relief appearances last season. Another key returnee is OF Francisco Rosario, who batted .385 last season. The recruiting class includes OF Hector Morales, who was drafted in the 49th round by the Orioles, and RHP Sean McManus of Palm Coast, FL. The Bruins will also be helped by three players who missed the 2010 season due to injuries, CF/RHP Sean Mattson, OF Anthony Bazant, and IF/OF/RHP Bradley Reeves.