MSU Denver’s Jesse Velders and CSU Pueblo’s Luke Ruby Named RMAC Baseball Players of the Week

MSU Denver’s Jesse Velders and CSU Pueblo’s Luke Ruby Named RMAC Baseball Players of the Week

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Metropolitan State University of Denver’s (23-19, 14-10 RMAC) Jesse Velders and Colorado State University Pueblo’s (23-17, 12-12 RMAC) Luke Ruby are the Week 11 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, the league announced Tuesday.
 
Player of the Week: Jesse Velders | MSU Denver | Jr. | INF | Hilversum, Netherlands
Velders hit just about everything in a series split against Adams State, batting .684 (13-for-19) in the four games. The junior scored 10 runs, muscled four doubles and slugged two home runs. His 6-for-7 effort in the series opener tied the Roadrunner single-game hits record while driving in seven runs in the 28-15 slugfest. The Dutchman followed with six hits in the middle games of the series and one hit in the series finale. Velders hit for a 1.211 slugging percentage and a .700 on-base percentage on the weekend. The infielder has the RMAC’s highest batting average and has hit 15 doubles, also a league-high in 2024.

Honorable Mention: Mike Bathauer, Adams State; Rob Sharrar, Colorado Mesa; Trent Nielsen, Colorado School of Mines; Logan Kelly, CSU Pueblo; Tucker Simpson, New Mexico Highlands; Garrett Rede, Regis; Dillon Vroman, UCCS.
 
Pitcher of the Week: Luke Ruby | CSU Pueblo | So. | RHP | Fort Collins, Colo.
Ruby capped off a successful weekend for the ThunderWolves in his start in game four. The sophomore tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing just five hits. Ruby got assistance from his Pack teammates, as they turned two double plays. In his lone appearance, Ruby struck out three batters and earned his third win of the season in just five starts. The Fort Collins, Colo., native turned in the longest start of his season and his second highest pitch count in 2024. On the season, Ruby is 3-2 with a 4.06 ERA and has recorded back-to-back outings of 5+ innings.

Honorable Mention: Cesar Loma, Adams State; Jake Gimbel, Colorado Christian; Ethan Voss, Colorado Mesa; Marcus Lee, Colorado School of Mines; Dylan Webber, MSU Denver; Marko Sipila, UCCS.
 
2024 RMAC Baseball Players of the Week
Date Player Pitcher
Week 1 – Feb. 6 Zach Schuler, MSU Denver Ben Schoneman, Colorado School of Mines
Week 2 – Feb. 13 Hayden Iverson, UCCS Jack Slominski, MSU Denver
Week 3 – Feb. 20 Adam Paniagua, Regis Jackson Bakovich, Colorado School of Mines
Week 4 – Feb. 27 Christian Casteneda, CSU Pueblo Cole Seward, Colorado Mesa
Week 5 – Mar. 5 Jackson Woolwine, Colorado School of Mines Brian Walters, Adams State
Week 6 – Mar. 12 Mason Andrews, Colorado School of Mines Jack Slominski, MSU Denver
Week 7 – Mar. 19 Rob Sharrar, Colorado Mesa Evan Bunevich, Colorado Mesa
Week 8 – Mar. 26 Rob Sharrar, Colorado Mesa Ethan Sloan, Regis
Week 9 – Apr. 2 Rob Sharrar, Colorado Mesa Reichle Arcilise, MSU Denver
Week 10 – Apr. 9 Zach Schuler, MSU Denver Reichle Arcilise, MSU Denver
Week 11 – Apr. 16 Jesse Velders, MSU Denver Luke Ruby, CSU Pueblo