Crusader Alumni Make Immediate Impact in College

Four members of 's varsity squad from last season are already playing their way into significant roles at the NCAA level as freshmen this spring at their respective schools. Crusader stars Toby Schwartz, Eric Flanagan, Dylan Reid, and Mike Rucereto are each off to fast starts in their collegiate careers and continue to strengthen the reputation of the BC Baseball program as a prime developer of baseball talent at the high school level.

Toby Schwartz of Ramsey served as BC's ace pitcher and top hitter last spring, earning four varsity letters in his career and being named Second Team All-State for his heroics last season. The lefty is now pitching for Lafayette College at the Division I level in the Patriot League, where he has already appeared in six games, including one start as a true freshman. He has an ERA of 5.40 an is batting .281.

Eric Flanagan of Closter was a mainstay in the Crusader outfield during his time in Oradell, and has now brought his talents to the University of Richmond, and has become a fixture in the starting lineup for the Spiders. Flanagan has started 19 of 21 total games for Richmond this season at the Division I level in the Atlantic 10 Conference. He is currently batting a .250 with 11 RBI's.

Saddle River's Dylan Reid dominated opponents while on the mound for the Scarlet & Gold, and things haven't changed while pitching for Florida Tech at the Division II level. Reid has allowed only one run in his six innings of work, while also recording six strikeouts in his time in the Sunshine State.

Mike Rucereto of Washington Township manned the backstop as the catcher for the BC pitching staff, and has made a smooth transition to the college ranks in a demanding position. Rucereto is currently catching at Susquehanna University at the Division III level, and the freshman has pushed his way into the starting lineup for 10 of the first 19 games of the season for the Crusaders and already ranks fifth on the team in RBIs (17) with a batting average of .244.

These four Crusader baseball alumni are gaining immediate collegiate experience thanks to the foundation they forged while suiting up for Bergen Catholic, and we look forward to watching their careers grow even further at the NCAA level, while always fondly remembering their time as Crusaders.

The following was provided by Bergen Catholic High School.