Waterville, Me.: The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) announced today that SUNY Cobleskill Head Baseball Coach Lance Ratchford has been named the conference's 2022 NAC Baseball Coach-of-the-Year by the league's coaches. During the year Ratchford guided the Fighting Tigers to a 21-20 overall record while capturing their second consecutive NAC Western Division Championship by posting an 11-4 record versus NAC opponents on their way to their second consecutive appearance in the league's post-season tournament.

Under the Oneonta, N.Y. native's tutelage Cobleskill had four players selected to the 2022 All-NAC Team while sweeping the conference's major awards with senior shortstop Eddy Garcia, Bronx, N.Y., World View High School, earning NAC Player-of-the-Year honors, junior pitcher Wyatt Palmer, Camden, N.Y., Camden High School/Cayuga Community College, being named the NAC Pitcher-of-the-Year and first year catcher/designated hitter Logan Hutter, Smithtown, N.Y., Smithtown West High School, taking home NAC Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

During the season the Fighting Tigers set a program record for most wins in a single season with 21, home runs with 28 and stolen bases with 114 while leading the NAC in both of those categories while also leading the conference in: doubles with 76, triples with 16, extra base hits with 120, total bases with 544, walks with 179, sacrifice flies with 24 and slugging percentage with a .440 mark.

When asked about what the award means to him the Fighting Tiger mentor pointed out that many people were responsible for him becoming the conference's Coach-of-the-Year.

"First I would like to thank my players and our coaching staff. This is a team award and staff award and without them this wouldn't be possible. Next, I would like to thank my girls. A lot of time and sacrifice that goes into being a head coach at our level. It's not always easy being a daughter and wife of a head coach and they are without a doubt my biggest supporters."

During his four seasons directing the Cobleskill baseball program Ratchford has amassed a 60-56 overall record including a 30-17 record versus league opponents with nine players earning all-conference honors.