University of Bridgeport Men's Baseball

Bio Ruiz is back with Coach Tonelli for a third season in 2025-26. He came to Bridgeport after a highly successfully career at fellow Division II program, STAC. He also enjoyed a professional career that brought him across the country and to Canada. While with the Spartans, Ruiz’ squads enjoyed terrific success. STAC earned three consecutive NCAA Tournament selections from 2016-2018, totaling 120 wins during that span. The Spartans won the NCAA East Regional during Ruiz’ sophomore season and advanced to the Elite Eight. He drove in 42 runs that year with 18 extra-best hits. All in all, Ruiz appeared in 150 career games at STAC with over 100 hits and 74 walks. Ruiz is also currently working at the Smash Factory in Oxford, Conn. where he gives private lessons in batting, catching, and pitching to kids ages 8-21. He also coaches two teams in different age groups and manages bullpens for all teams with a focus on mechanics and pitching development.

Bio Torres, who is known as one of the best high school baseball players in Connecticut history, comes to UB as a terrific baseball mind and mentor. An All-SEC performer while at the University of Alabama, Torres brings a massive resume to Bridgeport. He is currently the Director of Program/Player Development at the Technique Tigers Baseball Academy in Trumbull, Conn. He founded Technique Tigers in 2003 as a baseball program for kids between the ages of 6 and 18. Amongst many duties, Torres leads the creation and development of individualized workout plans for more than 500 athletes every year. In addition to his expertise in individualized instruction, Torres holds an immense background in collegiate and high school coaching. Most notably, he served as the pitching coach at Division I Fairfield University from 2010-12. He also has assistant coaching stops at St. Joseph High School, his alma mater, and Central High School in Bridgeport. Torres was inducted into the St. Joseph’s Hall of Fame in 2017. While in high school, Torres was named the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, CT Post Player of the Year, Hartford Courant Player of the Year, and USA Today CT Player of the Year. In 1995, he was drafted in the 28th round of the MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers before going on to play at Alabama. COACH TONELLI: “I am very excited to get Manny in our program. His background and experiences are amazing. Our players will grow quickly under Coach Torres. Manny is a teacher, coach, mentor and motivator.  Our pitchers are very lucky to have someone of his caliber working with them. Not only does he work on the mechanics of pitching, but he also loves the mental side of both pitching and the game in general.”

Bio Bill Foglio is currently in his fourth season as an assistant coach for the University of Bridgeport’s baseball team. In addition to his duties for the Purple Knights, Foglio also serves as an assistant coach for the U19 Stamford American Legion’s Post 3 team—a position he has held for over 20 years. An illustrious player in his own right, Foglio has enjoyed a long-playing career here in Connecticut. The Stamford native was a four-year starter at Sacred Heart University where he helped the Pioneers to an NCAA Regional Championship, and a berth into the Division II College World Series in Springfield, Ill. Following his SHU career, which also included being team captain, Foglio played 17 years of semi-pro ball in the Stamford Twilight League and Bridgeport Senior City League. Foglio was named the 1985 Bridgeport Senior City League MVP while also being a member of the National Amateur Baseball Federation’s team that played in the World Series in Louisville, Ky.