SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – The South Suburban College (SSC) Athletics department recently acclaimed various achievements. On Wednesday, May 10, a production crew from WGN-TV visited Bulldog Stadium on the south end of the Main Campus to highlight the 1300th career win of Steve Ruzich, Head Coach of the Bulldogs Baseball Team. Ruzich was an All-American catcher at the College of St. Francis. He graduated in 1985 and was drafted as a catcher that summer by the Chicago White Sox. He became the Head Coach of the Bulldogs Baseball Team in 1987.
The same day that WGN-TV visited Bulldogs Stadium, the SSC Men’s Baseball Team pulled off a 10-0 win over Kishwaukee College in the first round of the playoffs. Following this victory, the Bulldogs moved on to play Triton College in the tournament. They defeated the Trojans 20-10 on Thursday, May 11, and 5-3 on Saturday, May 13 to claim the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region IV Division I Baseball Championship.
SSC’s own Dawson Tanner, a sophomore outfielder from Canada, was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Head Coach Steve Ruzich was also named Region IV Coach of the Year. The 40-19 Bulldogs advance to the Midwest District in Centerville, Iowa. The winner of this double-elimination tournament will advance to the World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.
The SSC Softball Team brought in wins of their own to conclude their regular season. On Monday, May 15, they defeated Bryant and Stratton College of Milwaukee 10-9 at home to earn the NJCAA Region IV Division II Midwest A District Championship. The 36-12 Lady Bulldogs advance to the national tournament in Spartanburg, South Carolina. They will represent SSC at the NJCAA DII Women’s Softball World Series beginning on Tuesday, May 23.
The full news story from WGN-TV released on Thursday, May 11, is accessible at: https://tinyurl.com/4k35hh5a. The SSC Athletics department is located in the Physical Fitness & Athletic Center on the Main Campus located at 15800 South State Street in South Holland, IL. For more information about Bulldogs Athletics, contact SSC Athletic Director Steve Ruzich at sruzich@ssc.edu or call (708) 596-2000, ext. 5843.
