Lakeland College

Former standout Ruzek joins Lakeland baseball coaching staff

Athletics - posted on 8/24/2012

Lakeland College has hired Mike Ruzek to be the pitching and hitting coach for the Muskies.

Ruzek was a standout student-athlete at Lakeland, earning first team All-Northern Athletics Conference as a utility player and Second Team All-Midwest Region honors by d3baseball.com in his senior year in 2012. As a senior Ruzek led the Muskies in batting average (.386), hits (56), doubles (17), runs scored (31), RBIs (29) and innings pitched (64.2). He also was second among the team's pitchers with 45 strikeouts. He finished among the top 10 all-time in a single season at Lakeland in a number of categories, as he finishing second in doubles, sixth in hits, batting average and earned run average (2.51), and eighth in on-base percentage (.462).

"Having Mike on our coaching staff to work with our pitchers will be a great addition for the program," said Lakeland Head Coach Mike Bachar. "Mike brings his dedication and strong work ethic to our young pitching staff that is looking to develop. I look forward to working with him and watching him develop as a coach."

Ruzek also finished with some remarkable career totals. At the plate he is first all-time in Muskie history in on-base percentage (.460), second in batting average (.382) and fourth in slugging percentage (.503). On the mound, Ruzek finished second in strikeouts (178), third in innings pitched (221.1) and fourth in games pitched (39) and games started (29).

"I am excited to begin a new chapter in my life," Ruzek said. "Getting the chance to coach at my alma mater is an honor. I look forward to giving back to a school that has already given me so much."

Ruzek is a native of Manitowoc, Wis., and a 2012 graduate of Lakeland with a degree in exercise science and sport studies. He is currently working towards his master's degree in business administration.