Tomas Cruz Class: Senior Hometown: Amarillo, TX Position: Student Assistant Coach

Tomas Cruz is in his first season with the Tiger coaching staff in 2011, serving as a student assistant coach. His duties include assisting Assistant Head Coach Dan Pepicelli with the pitching staff. He is also serving as an intern for the administrative coordinator of Olympic sports and the strength & conditioning coordinator. He spent the past two seasons as a reliever for the Tigers.

In his two seasons, the righthander from Amarillo, TX used his outstanding changeup to register a 5-6 record, 4.27 ERA, and 66 strikeouts in 86.1 innings pitched over 48 relief appearances. He was a member of two Tiger teams that reached a super regional, including the 2010 team that advanced to the College World Series.

In 2009, Cruz had a 2-3 record and a team-best 3.33 ERA in 24 relief appearances. In 46.0 innings pitched, he allowed just 32 hits (.195 opponents' batting average) and 16 walks with 39 strikeouts. Against South Carolina-Upstate on March 18, he was the fourth of five righthanders who combined to pitch Clemson's first no-hitter since 1984.

In 2010, Cruz won the Dedication Award for his stellar work in the strength training room. On the field, he had a 3-3 record and three saves in 24 appearances, including finishing a team-high 14 games on the mound. Against South Carolina in the College World Series on June 25, he pitched 3.0 hitless and scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

Prior to his two seasons at Clemson, Cruz was a second-team All-American and conference (western division) player-of-the-year at Seward County (KS) Community College in 2008. He was also a member of the conference champions in 2007 and 2008 at Seward County Community College after lettering three times at Amarillo High School.

Cruz, who will turn 23 on March 4, is a senior who is majoring in preprofessional health studies. He was born March 4, 1988 in Amarillo, TX.

The Cruz File
Full Name: Tomas Marc Cruz
Born: March 4, 1988 in Amarillo, TX
Playing Experience: Two-year letterman at Clemson (2009,10).
Family: Single.