The Gannon University baseball team improved its ranking from 10th to ninth this week in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s Division II Atlantic regional poll after winning two of four games this weekend.
The Knights defeated Mansfield University in both games of their doubleheader Friday by respective scores of 5-4 and 5-1, thanks to late-inning heroics from Shayne Herold, Michael Tomko and Jared Wiesen.
The Knights rounded out their weekend by dropping their final two games. The team lost an away game at Mansfield Saturday, 6-4, and dropped its Sunday matchup to Division I Canisius College, 9-3.
Coach Nate Cocolin said it was a great experience playing talented teams that are not in Gannon’s conference, and even having the ability to play a Division I team. Cocolin said there was a difference in the physical appearance of Division I players because they looked a little bigger and stronger, but Cocolin was pleased with the team’s effort.
“When it comes to baseball ability, we are right there with them,” Cocolin said.
Herold, a senior pitcher and outfielder, remains the ace of the pitching staff while recording a 6-0 record and a 0.98 ERA. Lou Downey, a junior infielder, said Herold is such a dynamic hurler because he is able to locate all six of his pitches with consistency.
“Shane is a very intelligent pitcher who knows when to pitch for contact and when he needs a swing and miss,” Downey said. “This enables him to keep a low pitch count and go deep into games.”
Jared Wiesen, a freshman utility player with a .349 batting average, has led Gannon’s offensive attack. Wiesen has only been held hitless in four of the team’s 28 games.
“He’s one of the most consistent hitters I’ve played with and that’s a testament to his hard work in practice,” Downey said. “He doesn’t waste a swing.”
The Knights have also relied on timely hitting from Jeff Bellanca, Mark DeVita, Nico Baldelli and the powerful bat of Aaron Cox to solidify the offense.
The Knights take on the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans in four separate games this weekend. The Knights start with an away doubleheader Friday and come home to finish the weekend with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Knights are 9-3 in PSAC action this season and will be truly tested when they take the field against the Vulcans, who are also 9-3 in PSAC play. Cocolin said he is looking forward to this weekend to see how the team fares against other schools in the conference.
“To be successful this weekend we will be looking to have big innings against their strong pitching staff,” Cocolin said. “Big innings are when we are able to put up three or more runs.”
