After spending a few seasons playing for the Lindenwood Lions, Ruben Noriega now enters his second season as a coach. Noriega is the Lions hitting coach and outfield coach, oversees the strength and conditioning program and assists Chris Emanuel in recruiting.
In Noriega’s first year as hitting coach, the Lions had a team batting average of .323, with an on-base percentage of .421, with 91 doubles, and 42 home runs, while outscoring their opponents 390-236.
Noriega is a 2005 graduate of Banning High School, Wilmington, Calif. While in high school Noriega received first-team All-Los Angeles City and first-team All-South Bay Honors in 2004 and 2005. Noriega was also named The Marine Leagues Most Outstanding Player in 2004.
Before coming to Lindenwood, Noriega played two years at Los Angeles Harbor College where he contributed to a South Coast Conference championship in 2007 and a fifth place finish in the state tournament. At Los Angeles Harbor College, Noriega holds the career hit-by-pitch record with 31.
Noriega joined the Lions in 2008 as a junior outfielder. While at Lindenwood, Noriega contributed to two HAAC championships in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, Noriega played in 39 games for the Lions and hit .324 with a .471 OBP. In Noriega’s college playing career he hit over .300 and had on-base percentage over .420.
Noriega received his is Associate of Arts Degree from Los Angeles Harbor College, his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from Lindenwood University, and is now pursuing his Master of Arts in Education.
In the summer, Noriega also coaches for the East Los Angeles Dodgers Organization which competes in two National Baseball Congress Leagues, including the Western Baseball Association (two-time league champions 2009, 2010) and the Southern California Collegiate League. Noriega also spends his summer training kids ages 5-18 at the Marc Cresse School of Baseball Summer Camp.
