Ward named NEBJ DI Player of the Year

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The New England Baseball Journal named Bryant University baseball redshirt freshman Ryan Ward (Millbury, Mass.) the New England Division I Player of the Year on Friday morning.

Already recognized by four publications as an All-American and four more as a Freshman All-American, Ward becomes the first player in program history to earn player of the year honors from the NEBJ.

Ward's historic season featured a .409 batting average, 101 hits, 157 total bases and just 10 strikeouts in 272 plate appearances. He led the nation in hits per game, finished in the top five in total hits and posted a 30-game hitting streak, the longest in program history. Ward clubbed 22 doubles, five triples and eight home runs, while driving in 52 runs.

In addition to this honor, Ward was also named the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Co-National Freshman Player of the Year, the NCBWA District I Player of the Year and the New England and NEC Player and Rookie of the Year.