Two years ago, John Ruhf hit .235 in 19 games as an infielder for the Penn State varsity baseball team.

Modest numbers, sure, but not too shabby for Div. I baseball. Now, as one of the new members of the Penn State baseball club team, Ruhf is putting up numbers that are well above not-too-shabby caliber.

The Nittany Lions have scored 185 runs in 17 games this season, and Ruhf has been a big factor in the team's dynamic and prolific offense.

"He has done very well at the top [of the lineup]," Penn State baseball club head coach Dan Day said. "If there are guys on base, he brings them in. If not, he gets on base."

Two weeks ago during a series against the University of Pennsylvania, Ruhf was 10-for-15 at the plate, including two doubles and a home run with eight RBI. That stat line was good enough to garner New Penn conference player of the week honors from the National Club Baseball Association.

This past weekend, against Lafayette, Ruhf gave an encore performance. He had seven hits -- six of which were doubles -- walked three times, scored six runs and drove in 10 more.

At shortstop, Ruhf has also been an added bonus to the Lions' defense this season. Part of his success in the field, as part of what he called "a pretty sick defense," is a result of his relationship with second baseman Chris Connors.

Both played high school baseball in the Bethlehem, Pa., area -- Ruhf for Liberty High School and Connors for Bethlehem Catholic. Playing in the same area allowed them to play American Legion baseball together, starting the middle-infield connection that continues today.

"We've known each other a long time," Connors said. "We are very comfortable with each other and he is easy to communicate with."

Ruhf said the errors that have been made by Penn State this season are made because of the players getting too relaxed during the games, given the large margin of victory in most of the team's games. Most members of the team agree that the defense this season has seen an improvement this year.

"[Ruhf] definitely helps solidify the defense," Day said. "Defense has been shaky in the past and we haven't seen that this year. We are very consistent."

Ruhf's impact also transcends to the team's intangible qualities. To say that Ruhf has character and brings that character to Penn State is an understatement.

He started the season with Smurf-blue hair and is now onto his platinum-blonde version. Whether poking fun at teammates, reciting comical movie lines, or simply sitting with the silence of the eye of a hurricane -- waiting quietly for his moment to strike -- Ruhf helps keeps the atmosphere of the team as lively as possible.

"He definitely sparks something in us," Connors said. "We all get along so well and once he gets going we get excited."

His character, as contagious as ever in a team setting, latches onto his teammates and creates an wild, crazy, ready-to-do-anything feel to this year's team. A feel that has resulted in a team that has basked in success all season long.

"Whatever [the players] do it just makes it fun," Day said, "and we are able to do our jobs."