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Everett resident was a four-year Varsity player and a steady contributor in the infield, at the plate and on bases
By Steve Freker
The ride has been a rather bumpy one for the Malden Catholic High School baseball program for the past couple of years. A State Tournament qualifier in 2024 due to the power rankings edge, the past two years have found Lancer Baseball on the sidelines come postseason time. The Lancer baseball bunch has battled to find some consistency between the lines. Add to this the team facing the difficulty factor of playing half of its games against fellow members of what — for decades — has been regarded as the best and toughest baseball league in Massachusetts, the Catholic Conference.
The direction turned a bit this past season when another new head coach took the reins in former local and college standout Brian Blumsack. For Malden Catholic baseball, it was the third baseball boss in four seasons.
In four spring seasons filled with change and often struggles, there have been some bright lights. Notably, a positive constant has been the steady play of senior captain David Ruane.
A four-year varsity contributor, Ruane has been a mainstay for the Lancers since he first arrived on the Malden Catholic roster in the spring of 2023. Primarily a middle infielder, Ruane has been a varsity starter for the most games of any Lancer player over the course of the 2023, 2024, 2025 and this past 2026 season — over 60 games in all. Ruane, a 5-9, 165 dynamo, has made most of those starts at either shortstop or second base, sprinkling in some third base and outfield service in those seasons as well. The right-handed Ruane has also been called upon to show his craftiness in the mound as a reliever and spot starter at times.
As a testament to his skill set and perseverance, Ruane has shown his stuff for three different Lancer head coaches in the past three seasons. He played under Coach Blumsack this season and with former Head Coach Dave Valdez in 2025 and 2024. Ruane broke into the Lancer lineup under former longtime Lancer Head Coach Darren Svendsen (2016-2023) in the spring of 2023.
Ruane is one of the fortunate local ballplayers who will be continuing their careers at the next level, as he heads to Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, this fall. He is officially committed to be a member of the Charger Baseball team for the 2026-27 college year.
The Advocate caught up to Ruane, an Everett resident and a Malden native, to talk about his Lancer Baseball career.
Q: Congratulations on a successful high school career at Malden Catholic. This was your best season as a Lancer. What is a highlight of this past season for you?
A: I think more than anything, I took a big mental step in the game. Learning how to try to lead a team that is struggling and keeping those vibes up, as well as competing even when your down. As an upperclassman, we get looked at by the other guys, so setting a good example for the people after you.
Q: What is your best memory or memories of your career as a whole for Malden Catholic Baseball?
A: playing in a playoff game for Malden Catholic [in 2024, a win over Lynn Classical] is one of my best baseball memories. The grind to get there and see the work you and your team put in is really amazing.
Q: Why did you choose to come to Malden Catholic?
A: I wanted to meet people from outside where I grew up and try to make something of myself without knowing anyone or how anything works.
Q: Describe the challenge of playing against the Catholic Conference teams in the baseball season.
A: The teams we play [in the Catholic Conference] are very competitive, teams who go out every game and give you everything they had. I loved playing the conference games, because as the underdog, I always wanted to surprise people and show people we can outwork those teams.
Q: What would you say are your strengths as a ballplayer? And second, what skills will you look to improve as you move on to the next level?
A: I would say I am quick and athletic and you can put me anywhere (defensively). I would like to add some power at the plate and work on ways to slow the game down at any time.
Q: It is never a given to be able to move on and play college baseball. Has that always been a goal for you?
A: I have always wanted to play college baseball since I was a little kid. My family and friends have always supported that and I got some great insight from my participation in travel ball with the Vikings in the summer.
Q: Who has helped you along the way to achieve this goal?
A: My parents, who took me to every game no matter the time or place. And the coaches that have helped me through the best and worst times, when I was either excelling, or maybe not on my game.
Q: How would you like to be remembered as a Malden Catholic Lancer?
A: I wanted to make a change in the way we played baseball at Malden Catholic. I wanted that team chemistry that pushes past teams that are even better skilled than us. I believe I made an impact at both with my teams. But I do wish the opportunity to help lead the team wasn’t taken from me by having so many changes in the staff. Mostly, I would like to be remembered as someone who always put my head down, worked as hard as I could and gave everything I had. I believe I did that and I hope it showed.
