ERIE, Pa. – Head coach Joe Spano announces the addition of 13 newcomers to the Mercyhurst College baseball program in 2011. The class includes six pitchers and seven position players that will complement a roster that features 23 returning letterwinners. 

The 2010 edition advanced to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference postseason for the second consecutive year, finishing the season with a 26-22 mark, 16-8 in the PSAC West. The Lakers have now posted 25 or more wins in each of the last six seasons and have four former players playing professional in the Minor Leagues or with Independent teams. 

The following are brief capsules on the 13 newcomers (alphabetically): 

Matt Adamczyk (C, Erie, Pa/Villa Maria/Mercyhurst North East)
Was named the Mercyhurst North East Male athlete of the year in 2010
First-team All-region selection
Hit .388 with 13 doubles and 35 RBI

Zak Blair (INF/OF, Jefferson, Ohio/Jefferson Area/Winthrop Univ.)
Played in 36 games and made 18 starts as redshirt freshman at Winthrop
Went 4-for-5 in his first collegiate start against Marist
Had 18 hits and 13 RBI for the year

Tyler Bowditch (RHP, Cleveland, Ohio/Holy Name)
First-team All-NCL for 3 years (soph-senior)
Threw a no hitter in junior year
Had a 7-1 record with a 2.88 ERA, 48K in 34 innings pitched

Jake Dando (LHP, New Castle, Pa./Laurel)
Was named to the WPIAL AA all-star team
Went 5-1 with 48 strikeouts his senior season

Brad Duffy (RHP, Fombell, Pa/Vincentian Academy/Duquesne Univ.)
Finished the 2010 season as a weekend starter for Duquesne
Threw 45.1 inning, striking out 36 
Opponents posted a .291 opponents batting avg

Shane Latshaw (OF, Cheektowaga, N.Y./Maryvale/Erie CC)
Was named second-team All-American his sophomore year
Hit 18 homeruns in 2 seasons at ECC. 
Posted a .401 avg. with 58 RBI, 63 hits, and 54 runs scored in 2010

Zach Leitten (RHP, Alexander, N.Y./Genesee CC)
Went 3-3 with a 2.86 era in 2010
Struck out 56 batters in 59.2 innings
5-3 as a freshman, striking out 45 while walking 14

Colin Loughner (1B/RHP, Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk)
Was named the WPIAL AAA Player of the Year his senior season
Hit .542 with 5 homeruns and 39 RBI
Was also 7-1 on the mound with 49 strikeouts and 2.07 ERA

TJ Mitchell (LHP, Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep)
District 10 Player and Pitcher of the Year
Region Pitcher of the Year (junior and senior year)
Threw a perfect game his senior year

RJ Niedzwiecki (INF, Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep)
Two time all-region selection
Team Gold glove award winner
Team won the District 10 championship in 2010

Dan Parker (RHP, Marilla, N.Y./Iroquois)
Was 4-1 with a save, an ERA of 2.65 and 46 strikeouts in 37 innings
Made first team all division and All-WNY Honorable Mention.

Anthony Tomasone (C, Solon, Ohio/Solon)
Drove in 29 runs with a .394 average and five home runs

Greg Weatherly, OF, Beaver Falls, PA/Blackhawk
Named the WPIAL AAA Player of the Year his junior season
Hit .490 avg. with 17 RBI in senior year