Bridgewater State Universities Ryan Kelleher Wins MASCAC Baseball Player of the Week Honors
By David Creed
Sports Editor
Despite a disappointing 3-6 start to the boy’s young baseball season that began with a nine-game stretch down in Vero Beach, Florida, some positive individual achievements came out of the trip. Bear’s Junior Outfielder Ryan Kelleher will be coming back to Bridgewater with some hardware after winning the MASCAC player of the week. This honor is given to one college player within the MASCAC conference each week in their respective sport for tremendous play and production.
Kelleher certainly produced while down in Florida. He started all nine games for the Bears and batted .500 with a home run and 8 runs batted in. For Kelleher, he was honored to receive the recognition but was quick to give credit to his teammates. “I am very honored and humbled to receive the award. A number of guys on the team could have earned it with their outstanding performances, but I am honored to receive this recognition and look forward to the rest of the season”.
For Kelleher, he believes his ability to improve his hitting is what is leading to his success. “Since last season I have improved all around. My hitting has stepped up and I hit more line drives to the right side”. His fielding has also improved, which will hopefully in his eyes lead to a great all-around season. “I practiced fly balls and throwing as well this offseason. As a player, you can always get better so I look forward to continuing to become an even better hitter and fielder as I move forward and knowing what to do in every situation during the game”.
Kelleher hopes this is the beginning of a special season for both him and the rest of his teammates, as he believes a variety of them could have won MASCAC player of the week honors while down in Florida for the nine-game stint. Kelleher and the Bears will return home from their stint down in Florida to play Brandeis at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, March 14th .