Erie, PA—Mercyhurst Baseball Head Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Joe Spano was inducted into the Erie Metro Chapter of Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday night.

Spano is already the winningest coach in Mercyhurst history with a record of 681-398 despite a shortened 2020 and 2021 season. Spano has led the Lakers to four 40-win seasons and has the 10 winningest seasons in Mercyhurst history. Under his direction, Mercyhurst has made three DII World Series appearances in the five seasons including being one of the final four teams standing in 2019. Spano was also named the Atlantic Region Coach of the Year twice. In his tenure, 12 Lakers have been drafted including a pair of pitchers from the 2019 squad.

In 2021 the Lakers went 27-15 and earned a place in the PSAC West playoffs. Spano was slated to be inducted in June of 2020 but due to COVID-19 the ceremony was pushed to 2021.