Who knew Birmingham Brother Rice ace pitcher Matt Ruppenthal was such a good hitter?...and fielder for that matter!

Ruppenthal, the Warriors' All-American junior hurler, is hitting over .400 this spring (6 homers, 26 RBI) and showing his skills as a genuine power threat at the plate, not to mention the ability to play a mean shortstop when he ain't on the mound mowing them down like his name was CURT SCHILLING.

I had no idea.

Before this year, Ruppenthal (committed to the play his college baseball in the SEC at Vandy) only pitched. Then some spaces in the line-up card opened up and he's more than answered the call.....think Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone...that's how big of an answer it's been with RUPP THE RIPPER doing damage all over the field for TEAM RIKER.

In the Catholic League Finals last week, he was at his versatile best in leading his team to its second CHSL crown in a row. He got the win on the hill, going the distance, and went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI in the batter's box in the 12-2 victory over arch-rival Novi Detroit CC.

As of now, he's THE ultimate triple-threat in the OC.

And that's Burney Certified!!!!