Kruger & Haft Named 2005 Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division III Players to Watch

by Sports Information
1/4/05

LANCASTER, PA – Franklin & Marshall College designated hitter Scott Haft (Sr., Jupiter, FL/Jupiter) and third basemen Gary Kruger (Jr., East Islip, NY/East Islip) have been named 2005 NCAA Division III players to watch by Collegiate Baseball magazine.

A 2004 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Mid-Atlantic All-Region second team selection, Haft shattered his own single season doubles record of 14 from the 2002 season by hitting 18 last year as he batted .295 (44-for-149) with 29 runs scored, one triple, five home runs, 17 walks and a team high 35 RBI’s.

The program leader in career doubles (42) and homeruns (13), he was named to the All-Centennial Conference first team as a designated hitter last year while finishing 54th in doubles per game in the NCAA with 0.42 per contest.

A 2004 ABCA third team All-Region selection, Kruger led the Diplomats in batting average (.408), runs (39), hits (58), triples (four), stolen bases (25 on 29 attempts), slugging percentage (.613) and on base percentage (.469) last year.

An All-Centennial Conference first team honoree, he tied for first on the team in homeruns (five) with Haft and ranks among the program's all-time best as his 58 hits last year rank third all-time in a single season for the Diplomats.

In the final NCAA statistics, he placed 114th in batting average (.408) and 39th in stolen bases (0.6) as is hitting .360 (67-for-186) with 51 runs, seven doubles, six triples, five homeruns, 33 RBI and 21 walks with 43 stolen bases on 48 attempts in 67 career games.

Collegiate Baseball magazine names standout players at each position (LHP, RHP, relief pitcher, Catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, outfield, designated hitter and multi-position players).

Franklin & Marshall will open the 2005 season on March 4 at home versus New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) power Rutgers-Camden. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.