BETHLEHEM, Pa. - NCC baseball coach Adrian Yaguez has added another arm to his class of 2010, signing Jake Ruch to a National Letter of Intent.

Ruch, a standout right-handed pitcher from Abington Senior High School in Abington, PA, earned Suburban One Honorable Mention accolades, collecting two wins and two saves while compiling a 3.42 ERA with 39 strikeouts this season for the Galloping Ghosts.  The 6'0" 170lb righty was also a two-time member of the SOL National/Bicentennial Carpenter Cup squad, reaching the championship at Citizens Bank Park the last two years.

"Jake is a big-time signee for us," explained Yaguez, "Jake is a great kid and we expect him to play a major role in our pitching plans.  He is a proven winner and we will be counting on him to be a leader on the mound for us.  Jake had several offers on the table, so we are extremely happy to have him as a Spartan."

Ruch, who suffered an early season ankle injury, showed he was back in top form this summer during the Carpenter Cup, earning the save in the semifinals, firing an inning and 2/3 of scoreless relief to propel his team to the finals.

The Spartans, who finished the 2010 season with a record of 20-21, will be entering their third season of NJCAA competition in 2010-11.