GLENVILLE, W.Va. -- The Mercyhurst baseball team will open the 2020 season with a trio of games in Glenville, W.Va. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Lakers open the 2020 campaign with a trio of single nine inning games with the opener against Concord on Friday. Mercyhurst will take on host Glenville on Saturday before closing the weekend with a contest against Davis & Elkins on Sunday.

LAKER NOTES
IN THE POLLS
The Mercyhurst baseball team was selected as the preseason favorite in both the PSAC West and the Atlantic Region.

The Lakers are currently ranked 9th in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll.

LINEUP DEPTH
Mercyhurst returns most of a lineup that claimed the 2019 Atlantic Region title and advanced to the final four teams at the DII World Series.

 Josh Surowiec posted a .297 average with 12 doubles, two triples and three home runs while driving in 36. He will look to build off a 2019 postseason that saw him named to the DII World Series All-Tournament Team.

Also back in the infield are Dominic Cecere and Jack Elliott. Cecere notched a .244 average with 18 RBI. Elliott provided some pop with five home runs and 16 doubles driving in 36 to go with a .234 average.

NEW FACES IN THE ROTATION
The Lakers will look to fill the holes left by a pair of All-PSAC performers on the mound in Tyler Garbee and Matthew Minnick.

Adam Jeannette and Nick McRandal will be among those called on to step into larger roles in the pitching staff.

Jeannette posted a 2.87 ERA and 4-1 record in 19 relief appearances a year ago while striking out 36 in just 31.1 innings pitched.

McRandal made six appearances with a 2.00 ERA with 10 strikeouts in nine innings of work.

AGAINST THE MOUNTAIN EAST
Mercyhurst will take on a trio of regional opponents from the Mountain East this weekend.

The Lakers were 5-1 against the MEC a year ago including a two games to one series victory over Charleston in the NCAA Super Regional and a 9-3 mark against the MEC in the past two seasons.