Ruggerio, Libuda, Doyle Named "Players To Watch" By Collegiate Baseball

Tucson, AZ --- Senior teammates David Ruggerio (Peabody, MA), senior Ben Libuda (Auburn, MA) and Kris Doyle (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) have all been named Players to Watch In 2015, which was printed in the January 2 edition of Collegiate Baseball and chosen by baseball coaches around Division III. 

Ruggiero claimed First-team by both the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) and D3basebll.com last year. Finishing the year among the MASCAC leaders in several categories, Ruggerio swatted .377 with 27 runs, 26 RBI, 52 hits, nine doubles, five triples and one homer while slugging .536 with an on-base percentage of .422.

After taking the reigns as the squads starting shortstop, Ruggerio was nearly flawless at the position ending the year committing just 10 miscues in 40 games to go with a .954 fielding percentage and a school-record 128 assists.

With another solid campaign, Ruggerio could end this career among the school's all-time hitting leaders.

Libuda and Doyle return to anchor a pitching rotation that figures to be one of the strongest in the conference.

Following a nod to the All-MASCAC First-team, Libuda posted a 3.20 earned run average to go with a 5-3 record as he recorded 37 punch outs in 59.0 frames of work.

Against league opponents, Libuda went 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA while notching 18 strikeouts in 26 innings. All five of his starts went for complete games.

Doyle also had a stellar year after transferring from Franklin Pierce last season. After fanning 36 with a staff high 62.0 innings, he finished the year with a 6-4 record and a 3.19 ERA.

In the week's leading up to the conference tournament, Doyle tossed a two-hit shutout before he blanked Salem State with a seven-hitter to help the Lancers claim their seventh MASCAC Regular Season title.

Coming off the programs fifth MASCAC Tournament championship and sixth NCAA Division III Tournament appearance, the Lancers received votes in the Collegiate Baseball Top 30 poll. WSU will play #7 Southern Maine in a twin bill during their annual Florida trip on March 17 and open their Northern schedule with #24 Endicott on March 24. 

Southern Maine and Endicott faced off each other for the NCAA Division III New England regional title for the second straight season last year. The Blue and Gold will also play Wheaton in Florida and MIT on April as both NEWMAC contenders also received votes in the Collegiate Baseball Top 30 Poll. 

Under the direction of 20th year head coach Dr. Dirk Baker, the Lancers posted their 13th season of 20 or more victories since 1998 ending the 2014 campaign with a 25-17 record.

Collegiate Baseball Division III Top 30 Preseason Poll

D3Baseball.com Top 25 Preseason Poll