WORCESTER, Mass. – The Clark University athletic department recognizes the disappointment of our spring student-athletes with the cancellation of the 2020 season, but especially our seniors who have provided leadership for younger teammates and contributed to their respective programs in immeasurable ways.
With over 30 senior student-athletes across our seven spring varsity sports unable to compete in their final season, we are dedicated to recognizing the efforts made through the years by our graduating class. Please join us in celebrating the tremendous careers of our senior spring student-athletes as part of our #SeniorDay series, continuing with baseball.
Dylan Horn – Infield – Sterling, Conn.
One of three senior captains, Horn was an anchor in the middle infield, appearing in 103 games throughout his career. In 351 plate appearances, he bolstered a career .299 batting average with 53 RBI and 18 extra-base knocks, including a pair of homers.
The Sterling, Conn. native logged thirty or more hits in both his sophomore and junior season and tallied 15 to start the 2020 campaign, including the 100th of his career. His career stat line at the dish includes a career on-base percentage of .390 and a slugging percentage of .368. The senior started in all ten games to begin this past spring,
"Dylan was a true gamer. He is full of grit and tough as nails," said second-year head coach Billy Cather.
Nick Jordan – Infield – Seaford, N.Y.
Jordan appeared in 108 games at various infield positions during his career and at the dish was consistent with a .297 career batting average on 118 career hits including 28 doubles. This past spring, he appeared in ten games for the Cougars, picking up 12hits in 37 at-bats.
The Seaford, N.Y. native racked up 60 RBI throughout his career while hammering a pair of homers and stealing eight bases. The senior notched a career on-base percentage of .333 with a slugging percentage of .388 while maintaining a .940 fielding percentage defensively.
"Nick played the game with a ton of heart. He leaves it all on the field and his passion for baseball is unmatched," Cather said.
Derek Lefebvre – Outfield – Groton, Mass.
The second of the senior captains, Lefebvre saw action in 117 games over his career with the Cougars. During that time, the outfielder notched 70 career RBI while scoring 75 runs and finished his career with a .284 batting average and 12 homers.
The Groton, Mass. also used his speed with 16 stolen bases while swatting 12 doubles and three triples while recording a .416 slugging percentage and .374 on-base percentage. In centerfield he was nearly flawless as he committed just one error in 268 total chances.
"Derek's energy was contagious. He always showed up with a huge smile and really just loved being out on the field with the guys. He was a diligent worker that led by example during his four years on campus," Cather said.
Collin Porter – Outfield – Brookfield, Conn.
Porter appeared in 51 games during his career with the Cougars with ten starts coming this past spring where he was on a tear with a .387 batting average which included three homers, 11 RBI and 13 runs scorer in just 31 at-bats.
The Brookfield, Conn. native recorded 40 hits in all during his career, finishing with a .272 batting average and a .463 slugging percentage. He drove in 25 RBI in his three years with the team while hammering 14 doubles and one triple. In the corner outfield spot, he committed just two errors for a .969 fielding percentage.
"Collin was a silent leader – he didn't always speak out, but when he did, it was powerful and people listened. He really knows how to inspire others," Cather said.
Cam Smith – Pitcher – Gorham, Maine
Smith saw action in 28 games during his career, toeing the rubber for 49.2 total innings of work with a pair of starts. This past spring, he appeared in three games with 4.1 innings tossed, allowing just four hits, two earned runs, and three strikeouts
The Gorham, Maine native compiled 35 punchouts throughout his time with the Cougars with just 12 walks. As a first-year, Smith saw action in a career-high 11 games while delivering 30.2 innings of work. He finishes with a 2-3 overall record on the bump.
"Cam has led by example for his four years on campus. He showed up every day ready to work and was an absolute joy to coach. He has no quit in him," Cather said.
Andrew Thibault – Infield – Nashua, N.H.
Thibault played in 95 games over his four-year career with the Cougars, appearing in nine games this spring where he finished with a .345 batting average with ten knocks in 29 at-bats, including five doubles and four RBI.
The Nashua, N.H. native collected 79 base hits in 283 at-bats to produce a career .279 batting average. His hitting breakdown includes 19 doubles, two triples, six homers and an even 50 RBI. He posted a career on-base percentage of .369 and a .424 slugging percentage.
"Thibault was our swiss army knife on the field – he could really do it all," Cather said.
Ryan Ruhlin – Catcher – Portlane, Maine
Ruhlin wraps up his senior season by appearing in eight games for the Cougars, collecting six hits on 27 at-bats for a .222 batting average. He posted three RBI with two doubles and a triple while posting a 1.000 fielding percentage behind the dish.
The Portland, Maine native appeared in 90 games during his four years with 246 at-bats while collecting 56 base knocks. In total, he roped eight doubles, three triples, five homers and drove in 35 runs. Defensively, he threw out 29 would-be base stealers in 92 attempts.
"Ryan is a bulldog. I'd go to battle with him on my side any day of the week," Cather said.
Mitchell Mondro – Pitcher – Westford, Mass.
Mondro made 20 relief appearances during his four years with the Cougars. He tossed 26.2 total innings allowing 19 earned runs on 34 hits while striking out 16 throughout his career. This past spring, he came on in relief once, delivering one inning where he surrendered three hits and earned a strikeout.
The Westford, Mass. native appeared in one start for an 0-1 record and notched a save. As a sophomore, he posted a career-high 14 innings pitched in eight appearances, bolstering a career-low 4.50 earned run average.
"Mitch is one of the smartest baseball guys I have ever been around. He knows the ins and outs of pitching and his stuff was dynamic on the mound," Cather said.
Follow along with our #SeniorDay series throughout the remainder of the spring on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @ClarkAthletics with new posts coming weekly
