DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University baseball senior Ruben Rios has been named the Nationwide Insurance NCCU Student-Athlete of the Month for July 2013 in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments on the field and in the classroom.

A native of Fortuna, Calif., Rios tallied a career-best 3.73 earned run average with 12 strikeouts and only six walks in 31.1 innings on the mound during his final season at NCCU. He posted a three-game winning streak with victories against Longwood (March 26), Virginia State (April 3), and nationally-ranked Campbell (April 16), including his first career complete-game shutout in the 10-0 win over Longwood.

Rios graduated from NCCU in May with a degree in sociology, while finishing with an overall grade point average of 3.316. He was also named to the All-MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Academic Team in the sport of baseball.

He spent the month of July pitching for the Humboldt Crabs of the Far West League, considered one of the premier collegiate summer baseball leagues in the country. In that time, Rios posted a 4-0 record with 23 strikeouts, only six walks and an earned run average of 2.89 in 10 appearances.

For a complete list of award winners, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com.