A junior first baseman for the Southern New Hampshire University Penmen, Derek Bauer has written a new chapter in program history – with his bat.

The former Millis High baseball MVP drove in three runs last Sunday to spearhead a 10-4 Northeast-10 Conference win over visiting Stonehill. In the process, Bauer set SNHU’s record for RBIs (54) in a single season, the highest total in the NE-10. He added two more Tuesday in a 10-5 win over St. Michael’s, including his ninth home run.

A lefthanded hitter and thrower, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Bauer extended his RBI streak to 14 consecutive games; he has plated 29 runners over that span. He is hitting .292 with 19 stolen bases in 25 attempts.

SNHU (41-5, 25-4 NE-10) will host a first-round conference playoff game Tuesday.

“Derek’s been a huge part of our success. He has a knack for coming through in tough spots,’’ said Southern New Hampshire coach Scott Loiseau, who also took note of Bauer’s successful transition from the outfield a week before the season opener.

A football, basketball, and baseball player at Millis, Bauer hit .436 his senior season as a team captain while posting a 1.85 earned run average. The Mohawks finished 17-10 and made their first appearance in the South Sectional final.

The 21-year-old business major transferred to Southern New Hampshire after his freshman year at Dean College, where he was an all-region selection.

His father, Paul, played varsity basketball at West Roxbury High and his grandfather, Tom Cunningham, was an infielder and outfielder in the Kansas City A’s farm system out of Hyde Park High.

Q. As a sophomore, you had one homer and 19 RBIs. What is the difference this season?

A. A shoulder injury set me back and hindered my swing. So last summer, in the Futures Collegiate League with Pittsfield, I closed my stance a little bit, raised my hands a little more and made better contact which has carried over.

Q. Do you ask your grandfather for a few tips?

A. I talk to him every day. He’s always been my go-to guy. He coached me in Little League in Millis and in many ways, he’s still my coach.

Q. And the best advice our grandfather has given you?

A. Just go out and have fun because it’s the same game you played as a kid. And play your hardest while keeping your composure.

Q. What is your mindset before attempting to steal?

A. That you will always be safe. You can’t be afraid to get thrown out because if you are, you probably will be.

Q. What are your postseason plans?

A. It looks like I’m going back to Pittsfield after which I’ll spend time on Cape Cod with family and friends. Whenever I have time off I love being near the ocean. West Dennis Beach is my favorite.

Q. Your favorite high school memory?

A. My senior year when our team set a school record for wins and reached the South Sectional final. It was awesome. We had busloads of fans there to support us. It was the biggest crowd we had ever played in front of. Despite the loss, it was a special moment because many of us had been together since Little League.

Q. Did you ever think of pitching in college?

A. I was recruited as an outfielder and pitcher, but as it turned out, we had plenty of harder throwers here. I still think about my pitching days because I liked the one-on-one competition, but I like hitting even more.

Q. What has been your favorite course in college?

A. America’s Role in the World last semester. I’ve always been interested in history and current events. The course examined why nations go to war and the politics and policy behind it.

Q. How valuable was your freshman season at Dean?

A. Very valuable. I played with and against some of the better athletes coming out of high school in the region. I learned to bounce back better from failure because of our coach, Seth Kaplan. He challenged you every day to be the best you could be.

Q. How would you like to apply your business administration degree?

A. To own a restaurant someday, perhaps a sports bar which I could expand into a small chain. One of my good friends is Tommy Barrett, a professional race car driver. His family owns Victory Lane in Millis and I go there often with my parents and grandfather. The place is packed for Patriots games and I love that pub atmosphere.

MARVIN PAVE

For full interview to to bostonglobe.com/west.