Ryan Kragnes was feared at both the plate and on base during his four-year career with the Behrend baseball team. His good eye, solid contact skills, and base-stealing prowess made him one of the best leadoff hitters in program history. Kragnes set program records and still holds the records for stolen bases (105), walks (114), and the single-season record for stolen bases (36). He was a three-time All-Conference selection and was named All-Region in his senior year.
Kragnes was the classic five-tool player. In addition to hitting for average and power, he could run, throw, and field. He finished his career with 190 hits, 182 runs and 105 stolen bases, while making 304 putouts on 313 chances for a .984 fielding percentage.
In his sophomore season, he tallied a team-best 26 walks for a .494 on-base percentage, while collecting 50 hits and batting .388. Kragnes also led the team with 28 steals and was named First Team All-AMCC.
The centerfielder led the Lions to back-to-back ECAC appearances, capturing the South Championship in 2011. That year, Kragnes produced 58 hits, and 54 runs and set the record for stolen bases in a single season. He earned ECAC All-Star honors and his second First Team All-AMCC accolades.
Kragnes was not only fast, but he was also an intelligent base runner.
In his senior year, he led the team and was ranked 11th nationally for base on balls (32) and added 25 stolen bases to his total. Kragnes also was first in batting average (.397), hits (54), and runs (46).
He shined his brightest on baseball’s grandest stage. Kragnes hit .462 in three AMCC Tournament games with five runs scored, two RBIs, and two stolen bases, helping Behrend win its fifth overall AMCC Championship. He also made multiple outstanding defensive plays in the championship game, giving Behrend a 9-5 win over La Roche. Kragnes earned ABCA All-Region Third Team honors, First Team All-AMCC honors and the Team’s Golden Glove award.