Erie, PA—After finishing with a record of 5-3 record in a shortened 2020 season and a 36-16 2019 season which saw them make the College World Series, the Mercyhurst baseball team has been ranked 35th in the Preseason Collegiate Baseball Newspaper poll.
The Lakers earned 531 points in this poll; the Lakers had a record of 5-3 before all sports were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the Lakers appeared in the Division II College World Series in Carry, North Carolina.
The Lakers will return 37 players from a season ago, while adding 25 freshman and 7 transfer students. Returning for senior season will be first basemen Josh Surowiec who had a team high .452 batting average in the 2020 season. Luke Baranchak will also return who hit .424 while hitting two homeruns a season ago.
On the mound, senior Adam Jeannette returns, Jeannette posted a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings pitched. Michael McDonough also returns for his senior season; he posted a 1.42 WHIP while pitching a team high 12 innings as a junior. Overall a season ago the Laker pitching staff held opposing hitters to a .239 batting average while striking out 88 batters.
Joe Spano will enter his 22nd as the Lakers Head Coach, Spano has a career record of 654-383-3 overall and a 341-197-1 record in conference play.
The 2021 schedule has not been released yet, however fans are encouraged to follow @HurstBaseball on Twitter and hurstathletics.com for the latest updates!
