Former Marshalltown Community College Baseball player Tsubasa Maruyama (Yokohama, Japan/Yokosuka Gakuin) has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Clarke University Crusaders.
Clarke, a NAIA institution located in Dubuque, IA, has won at least 30 games in each of its last two seasons, including a 38-17 record in 2016 where the team reached the NAIA National Championship tournament.
Maruyama, who was unsure of his post-MCC college decision prior to his visit to Clarke, was impressed with a number of aspects regarding the Crusaders' program. "The campus and the facilities were a big reason why I chose to attend Clarke, but the biggest factor were the coaches and the team," Maruyama expressed. "I felt it would be a great opportunity to be part of a competitive team with a chance to win a national championship next year. Talking with head coach Spain and assistant coach Redman, I could imagine myself getting better as a baseball player, a pitcher, and a student-athlete by working with the staff."
Maruyama, a right-handed pitcher, finished up his two-year career as a Tiger in 2016 where he appeared in 10 career games on the mound.
"It was a fun two years at MCC," Maruyama continued regarding his time in Marshalltown. "Despite not having the best sophomore season, I felt that I was still getting better every day with the team, and I am so proud to be an alumni of MCC. Before I came to MCC, I expected it to be a place where I went to school, but now I feel MCC is a big family. I felt that the teachers, students, and people who work there love the school as well."
"MCC is a great environment for international students since everyone is friendly and people help each other. Our International Relations Coordinator, Julia Aguilar, helped me a lot when I first came here."
MCC head coach Rich Grife saw Maruyama as a dedicated player who worked hard to hone his craft. "Our coaching staff is proud to see Tsubasa continue his collegiate career. He is one of the most well-liked guys and we've had in our program and an extremely hard worker. He will be a great addition for the Crusaders."
"No doubt MCC helped me become a better baseball player," Maruyama continued. "I was competing with teammates that pushed everyone to work as hard as they could. Coach Grife understood my mechanics and helped me get better every day. The staff is one of the best I have ever had in my baseball career. I cannot thank them enough for coaching me these last two years."
Maruyama spent this past summer playing for the Virginia Marlins in the World Baseball Collegiate League. He intends to study Business at Clarke.
