Erie, Pa. – In the annual pre-season Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Coaches’ Poll, Mercyhurst College was chosen by voters to finish second in the PSAC Western Division.
The Lakers were just one point behind first-place Slippery Rock, who was also slated to finish at the top in last season’s coaches’ poll, the Lakers’ first season in the PSAC. Four teams in the West received first place votes, with Slippery Rock, California, and IUP each receiving two and the Lakers earning one. California was picked to finish just behind Mercyhurst in third, while IUP was chosen fourth. Lock Haven, Clarion, and Gannon round of the rest of the remaining teams.
The East was also a close race for first with the top two teams also being separated by just a single point. Kutztown was picked to finish first followed by West Chester with each team earning three first-place votes. Shippensburg, East Stroudsburg, Millersville, Mansfield, and Bloomsburg comprise the rest of the East rankings.
Mercyhurst returns five position players and two starting pitchers for the 2010 season. Highlighting the returning Lakers are PSAC West Pitcher of the Year
Nick Gillung and PSAC West Freshman of the Year
Ethan Santora along with
Adam Gray and
Craig Denman, who both earned PSAC West Second Team honors.
The Lakers look to build off their success in the 2009 season in which they posted a 38-17 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nine years. At the NCAA regional, Mercyhurst posted its best-ever finish with a 3-2 mark. Another highlight was a 10-6 win over top-ranked and eventual national champion Lynn University.
Mercyhurst begins its season Feb. 12 at Mars Hill before playing Feb. 13 and 14 at Brevard (N.C.). The Lakers then make a spring trip to play in the Palm Beach Challenge. Mercyhurst begins its defense of the 2009 PSAC West regular season title Mar. 12 vs. Gannon.