Ruiz, Roxbury on First Team; DeRush Mentioned
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–Three Statesmen senior baseball players were honored for being strong assets this spring as the all-Midwest Collegiate Conference teams were announced Friday.
Starting pitcher Josh Ruiz (Sr., Chula Vista, Calif., General Mathematics) and catcher Patrick Roxbury (Sr., Canyon, Calif., Sociology) were named to the 17-person first team, while Cory DeRush (Sr., Grand Junction, Colo., Business Management) was one of 17 individuals to collect an honorable mention. Nine players were also named to the Gold Glove Team.
Ruiz ends his career as a two-time first-team pick, while the league recognition is the first for both Roxbury and DeRush. The trio helped William Penn to a 24-24 overall record, including a 12-12 mark in the MCC.
Ruiz was 7-1 this year with a 1.81 Earned Run Average. He tossed 74 2/3 innings with six complete games and three shutouts (also combined for another shutout). The senior struck out 68 batters against just 17 walks and opponents only hit .209 against him. He started the season nearly unhittable with a 5-0 mark and a 0.36 ERA. He struck out a season-high 15 against Viterbo on April 7.
A one-time MCC Pitcher of the Week, Ruiz led the conference in strikeouts and was tied for first in wins. He was also second in innings and starts (11).
Roxbury paced the navy and gold offense with a .377 batting average (52-for-138), including seven doubles, 17 RBIs, and six runs scored. The senior, who managed a 10-game hitting streak at one point, owned a .428 slugging percentage and .450 on-base clip (13 walks). Roxbury threw out a league-leading 14 baserunners (39 attempts).
DeRush hit .328 (57-for-174) on the season with seven doubles, three triples (team best), and two home runs (tied for team best). The senior also led WPU in runs (35), RBIs (tied with 27), and stolen bases (6). He concluded the spring with a .437 slugging percentage and a .377 on-base clip.
DeRush, who also had a 10-game hitting streak, was third in the MCC in both hits and triples.
Clarke’s Andrew Redman was named MCC Player of the Year, while Anthony Gagliardi of St. Ambrose was tabbed as MCC Pitcher of the Year. Chad Harris (AIB) and Lou Yacinich (Grand View) earned Co-MCC Coach of the Year honors by their peers.
