What began as a father’s interest has grown into a passion for Isaiah Ruch.
The 6’2” Oakwood Senior is excited that he will get to continue playing after graduation at Danville Area Community College.
Ruch knows that it’s been a team effort.
“My dad has been my coach for years,” Ruch said. “He is responsible for much of my success in baseball today.
“In addition, many of my other coaches have taught me how to work hard and that effort plays a large part in being a great athlete.”
Ruch started as many young athletes do. His dad enjoyed the game, and helped his sons realize their potential.
As a sophomore, Ruch played 29 games, with a .448 batting average, scoring 23 runs and accumulating 31 RBI’s. Of course, his junior year was cut short with COVID-19 mitigations.
Ruch’s two appearances on the mound led to two wins during the 2021 season. In the win against Urbana, Ruch pitched five innings allowing no earned runs or walks while striking out six batters.
He pitched a complete game against Centennial, allowing four hits, one walk and struck out six.
“My main focus for this season is to try to make my team better,” he said. “Being a leader is the most important role that I can play this year.”
With a team that includes a fellow Comet (Jacob Spear) who will play baseball with DACC, Ruch believes that the Comets can reach 20-wins this season.
“The thing I like most about our team this year is that we all like to compete,” he said. “Competing to be the best at everything we do.”
He believes the Cougars have the same mentality.
“ I chose to play baseball at DACC because I believe they have a good program and coaching staff to where I can come and help the team compete,” he said.
There’s more to the game, though, than wins and losses.
“There is always a tomorrow,” he said. “Just because you don’t perform good one day, it doesn’t change the next.”
