New England Baseball Journal: "New England Division III Baseball Preview"

By Mike Zhe, Staff Writer

February 26, 2015

Shortstop Dave Ruggiero And Resurgent Worcester State Seeking More Upward Mobility

Worcester, MA --- Senior shortstop David Ruggiero (Peabody, MA) has seen both ends of the spectrum during his four years at Worcester State. As a freshman, he was a starter on a team that finished nine games below .500 and in the bottom half of the MASCAC.

Last spring Ruggiero was a standout for the resurgent Lancers who won the league tournament , finishing 25-17 overall and went to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in four years.

"It meant so much to us," said the Bishop Fenwick High School product. "We've always been the underdog."

A 10-member senior class, which includes standout pitchers Kris Doyle (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) and Ben Libuda (Auburn, MA), has played a big part in the resurgence.

"We had a big freshman class when I came here," said Ruggiero. "We stayed together and became very close. The first two years were tough; losings not fun. After sophomore year we got together and just said, 'We're sick of it."

The Lancers and Salem State, who won shared last year's regular-season title, should be the teams to beat again in the MASCAC.

"We told the seniors, this is their year," said Worcester State head coach Dr. Dirk Baker.

The optimism starts with the rotation. Doyle, a right-hander who transferred to his hometown school from Division II Franklin Pierce, went 6-4 with a 3.19 ERA last spring, striking out 36 in a team-high 62 innings.

The big lefty Libuda, was 5-3 with a 3.20 ERA, while right-handed newcomer Zach Zona (Auburn, MA/St. Peter-Marian), a transfer from Division II Southern New Hampshire, will slide right into a big role.

"If those guys stay healthy, we've got three aces right there," said Baker.

Ruggierio (.377, 52 hits, 26 RBI), a four-year starter in the infield, also saw time on the mound last season. In a 6-5 extra-inning win against Framingham State, he pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the eighth and then hit a walk-off single in the bottom half.

"He's the guy that shows up to practice with just his glove, nothing else" said Baker. "He'll be playing ball somewhere until he physically can't. This kid loves to play."

New England Baseball Journal Feature Story (Page 26)

New England Baseball Journal Division III – Preseason Top 10

1 Southern Maine

2 Wesleyan

3 Eastern Connecticut

4 Tufts

5 Endicott

6 Worcester State

7 St. Joseph's (Maine)

8 Amherst

9 MIT

10 UMass Dartmouth