The 1998 New England Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Year, Chris Kuruc posted a career record of 27-6 while at the University of New Haven. Kuruc began his collegiate career as a "bona-fide" starter, as the 1995 season outlook stated, and after three years the Jonathan Law High School graduate was the team captain, the conference Pitcher of the Year, an All-Northeast Region performer and an All-American selection.
The 5-foot-10 right-hander from Milford, Conn. made an immediate impression on the UNH coaching staff. In the fall of his freshman year, Kuruc tallied a 3-0 record, followed by a 5-2 record and a 2.75 ERA as a starter/relief pitcher in the spring. The highlight of his first season came against New Hampshire College when he tossed a no-hitter in a 4-0 win, becoming the first and only freshman to toss a no-hitter in school history. His first year was so successful that he was named the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Co-Rookie of the Year.
An All-Northeast Region honoree as a sophomore, Kuruc appeared in a team-high 13 games and recorded four wins. He gave up one run or less in nine of 13 appearances, including four scoreless appearances. His season ERA of 2.35 would be a career-best.
As a junior, Kuruc posted a 6-2 record and held a 3.61 ERA in a team-high 13 appearances. He ranked second on the team in wins (6), strikeouts (37) and innings pitched (52.1). He was named the MVP of the 1997 City Series after he pitched a complete game two-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts as New Haven defeated Division I Yale University 10-0 in the title game.
Kuruc capped his Charger career with one of the finest seasons by any UNH pitcher. He tallied 12 wins and only one loss as a senior and earned NECC Pitcher of the Year honors. He was also named to the All-Northeast Region team and the NCAA Division II All-American team after leading the Chargers to their second NCAA World Series appearance in four years. He tied his sophomore total of two saves and added two shutouts in 1998. Kuruc's 12 wins that season, tie him for seventh in the UNH single season record book, while his 114.2 innings pitched that season rank him ninth.
In addition to his single-season performances, Kuruc ranks fourth all-time at UNH with 305.2 innings pitched, t-fifth all-time with six saves, eighth all-time with 27 wins and t-ninthth all-time with four shutouts. He also finished his career at UNH with 236 strikeouts, which falls just outside of the top-10 all-time.
During Kuruc's four years at New Haven, the Chargers enjoyed a .766 winning percentage and won over 100 games. They advanced to the NCAA Regional once and twice qualified for the NCAA College World Series.
