Biography
AT COLBY-SAWYER
2026: In his senior season, Cruz made 22 starts for the Chargers while appearing in 30 games, primarily playing left field and seeing time as the designated hitter. Janai finished the year hitting .265 (18-for-68) with 16 RBIs, 16 runs scored, five doubles, a home run, 13 walks and four stolen bases. Cruz began finding his rhythm with a 3-for-5 performance with three RBIs and a double against Mount Aloysius on March 18th. He followed with his third career home run on March 28th at Mitchell, delivering a game-tying three-run shot with two outs in the top of the ninth, while finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Janai added a 2-for-3 performance with two runs scored, an RBI and a double at Norwich on April 3rd. Cruz put together another strong performance against Albertus Magnus on April 11th, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, a run scored, a double and a stolen base. He later went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a double, a run scored and a walk against Elms on April 22nd. Following the season, Cruz was named to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) All-Sportsmanship Team.
2025: Cruz continued to serve as one of the Chargers' most versatile players, making 23 starts while appearing in 31 games overall. Janai saw time at catcher, third base, second base, all three outfield positions and designated hitter throughout the season. At the plate, Cruz hit .301 (25-for-83) with 13 RBIs, 20 runs scored, eight doubles, a triple, a home run, 13 walks and three stolen bases. Janai opened the season with a 2-for-4 performance and a double at Emerson on March 1st before going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, a double and a stolen base in a win at Massachusetts Maritime on March 9th. Cruz hit his second career home run on March 17th against Mount Aloysius in Myrtle Beach, SC, while playing at Pelicans Ballpark, driving in two runs. He later recorded two doubles and scored a career-high three runs against Plymouth State on March 20th. Cruz closed the season with one of his strongest performances of the year on May 3rd against Saint Joseph (Conn.), going 3-for-3 with three RBIs, two runs scored, a double and a walk. Defensively, Janai recorded 60 putouts and seven assists while playing six different defensive positions, showcasing his versatility across the diamond.
2024: Cruz made 18 starts for the Chargers in 2024 making 26 overall appearances mainly as a catcher. Janai ended the year slashing .333/.467/.533 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with a home run, 19 RBIs, 11 runs scored, nine doubles and six stolen bases. Cruz held a fielding percentage of .933 with 75 putouts, eight assists and three caught stealing. Janai's first big game of the season came on April 7th at Dean going 4-for-4 with three doubles, two runs scored and a pair of RBIs. Cruz notched his first collegiate long ball on April 13th at Norwich going 1-for-4 with the two-run blast in a Charger win. He added his career-high in RBIs on May 4th at Mitchell in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Pod Play going 2-for-5 with four RBIs and a double.Â
2023: Cruz ended his first season at Colby-Sawyer as a mainstay behind the plate for the Chargers starting 15 games and making 21 appearances overall. Janai slashed .222/.255/.267 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with two RBI, two doubles, six stolen bags and nine runs scored. Defensively Cruz finished the year with a .969 fielding percentage with 85 putouts and nine assists with three errors. Janai picked up his first collegiate hit on March 11th against Medaille University going 1-for-3 with a run scored. Cruz's best game was on March 12th against the University of Maine - Presque Isle with a 2-for-4 game with two runs scored, two RBI, a double, a walk and a stolen base.
PRIOR TO COLBY-SAWYER: Graduate of the Derryfield School, where Cruz was a tri-sport athlete competing in soccer, basketball and baseball. Janai was a two-time New Hampshire First Team All-State selection on the diamond as well as being a captain for his final two seasons. Cruz was also a Granite State South All-Conference selection twice and the 2022 Derryfield Male Athlete of the Year.
