SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – For two games, Par Troy East Little manager Mike Ruggiero has led his team with a heavy heart because of a family crisis.

Shortly before the team’s game on Friday against Texas, Ruggiero learned his father-in-law, Joseph Kayal, had suffered a stroke and was in critical condition. Kayal passed away Sunday and Ruggiero, who had left here Sunday, was on his way back and is expected to manage Monday’s game against California.

“My wife (Tracy) went back and then returned for the game (Saturday),” said Ruggiero, who left the team this morning to head home. “She has a twin sister who was at the hospital with her mother.”

Ruggiero and his wife withheld the news of Kayal’s illness from their son, Daniel, the team’s star second baseman until after Saturday’s victory over Oregon.

“He was upset as any 12-year-old would be,” Ruggiero said. “This is really hard on everybody.”