The KROX Radio Athlete of the Week is University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Baseball player, Mason Ruhlman, a 5’10, senior, second baseman, from Algonac, Michigan.
Ruhlman is hitting .429 this season including 11 hits in 17 at-bats over the past week in which UMC has gone 5-1 during their spring trip to Florida. “Number one, he’s disciplined at the plate,” explained UMC head coach Steve Gust talking about Ruhlman’s strong start. “He’s not swinging at things he shouldn’t be swinging at. Number two, he’s being pretty aggressive with the pitches in the zone. He’s got great plate discipline. His swing this season is way more consistent than it was in the past as far as pattern of movement. His mechanics are more sound this year, but really it starts and ends with his discipline at the plate. He works as hard at it as any athlete I’ve had. He’s 24-7 working on his swing and it’s really paying off.
Ruhlman hit .219 during his first season with the Golden Eagles as a junior scoring 21 runs and hitting 4 home runs. Ruhlman spent his first two seasons at Riverland Community College where he was selected the MCAC Southern Division Player of the Year for 2018 and All-MCAC Southern Division First Team. During his sophomore season, Ruhlman hit .423 with 40 runs scored and 38 RBIs. Ruhlman earned NJCAA Division II All-America Second Team honors after hitting .400 with 31 runs scored as a freshman.
First started playing baseball – Five-years-old (tee-ball)
What do you feel is the strongest part of your game – Hitting the baseball
Part of your game that needs work – Defense
The toughest pitcher you’ve ever faced – Phil Hindes, teammate in practice
Favorite Field – UMC Baseball Field
Do you have a pre-game ritual – Eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and banana
Favorite sport – Baseball
Favorite sports team – Detroit Lions
Favorite athlete – LeBron James
The last movie you’ve seen – Now You See Me
Favorite TV program – Temptation Island
Favorite food – Chipotle
What music are you listening to – 90s and early 2000s pop music
You’re stranded on a deserted island and you can have ANY three people with you – Ben Thoma, Dalton Grose, Jayden Grover
Plans after graduation – Get a job and go from there
Family –
Dad – Jim (Carpenter)
Mom – Stella (Branch manager at Chemical Bank)
Brothers – Alex (Works for IBM)
James (Works for St. Clair Resa)
Sister – Olivia (Teacher in Arizona)
