Blaine graduate Robert Bleecker is making a name for himself in Tacoma.

The sophomore baseball player at Pacific Lutheran University has earned a spot in the starting rotation and is giving the Lutes a boost early in the season, including a 6-2 complete-complete game nine-hit win over Willamette on Friday.

Bleecker struck out nine while walking one batter in his best performance of the season.

The performance wasn’t without its rough moment, though. Bleecker was cruising along, went in the ninth inning and gave up his only home run of the season on the first pitch. But the low-key ballplayer didn’t beat himself up too much about the shot.

“Let’s just say it was a magestic shot. There was no doubt about it,” Bleecker said in a phone interview. “I didn’t expect him to swing at the first pitch in ninth inning. I just put my head down I didn’t want to see where it landed.”

Bleecker, 3-0 in five starts on the season, has struck out 27 and walked nine in 32 innings of work and boasts a 3.38 ERA, 2.6 in conference games.

And to think it almost didn’t happen.

Bleecker was contemplating his future during the end of high school a couple years ago and leaning toward attending Washington State University as solely a student.

PLU coach Geoff Loomis contacted Blaine coach Gary Clausen and asked if there were any players who could move on to the next level and play ball. Clausen suggested Bleecker.

“I always liked Robert’s build and his arm velocity,” Clausen said in a phone interview. “I always thought he had the potential. I’m really happy that he did go there.”

Bleecker, who is contemplating majoring in economics, said he instantly liked PLU and loves the fact that he is playing baseball with a tight-knit team.

“One of our biggest things is that we can get through all adversity because we’re family and pretty tight.”

Home in Blaine for Easter Sunday, Bleecker was enjoying time at his parents’ house watching the NCAA Tournament games.

He said he has matured in his first two years at college and is looking forward to his young team’s future.

“You don’t have your parents there to do laundry or cook food for you,” he said but admitted that he did have a request while at Vivian and James Bleecker’s home. “Yes, I put in a request for some steak.”

As for his ties to WSU, Bleecker said he is rooting for the Cougars who made the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday and was a little sad to see Gonzaga get bounced in the first round.

“I root for any Washington team, besides the Huskies,” he said. “I can’t stand the Huskies.”