Prior to Owens: Along with Clayton Ruch, Ward played his freshman year at Cleveland State University before the program disbanded. He was fourth on the team in ERA at 5.53. In 16 appearances, he started three games, pitched 42.1 innings, allowed 38 hits, 26 earned runs and struck out 31. He had a batting average against of .248.

In high school, Ward was an All-NOC, All-Cleveland and All-Medina Gazette selection. As a senior, he was named the team's captain under coach Todd Winston. Ward led Brunswick to league and sectional titles as a sophomore and a senior. Academically, he was a three-time All-Academic selection in the NOC, an honor roll student all four years, earned an honors diploma and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Chris is the son of Tim and Michelle Ward. He is an accounting certificate major at Owens.