The Gannon University baseball team dropped one spot this week and is currently ranked 10th in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s Division II Atlantic regional poll entering a four-game series with Mercyhurst University after splitting a four game series with California University of Pennsylvania Saturday and Sunday.
Aaron Cox, a freshman pitcher and infielder, threw a complete game in Saturday’s first matchup to give the team a 3-2 victory and improve his record to 5-0 on the season. The team also relied on timely hitting in the first game from Jeff Bellanca, Mark DeVita and Bob Roach. Matt Tobin, a sophomore pitcher, said Cox’s remarkable season can be attributed to how hard he works on his game in practice.
“And what really makes the difference is his effort in the weight room,” Tobin said.
Tobin received the loss in the second game Saturday after giving up six runs in five innings. Justin Taylor, a sophomore pitcher and infielder for Cal. U., won the game 8-0, and held the Knights to only two hits in his complete-game victory, which brought his season record to 6-2.
David Spaeder, a junior pitcher, dropped the first game Sunday by the score of 7-0, and was responsible for three earned runs. Shayne Herold, a senior pitcher and outfielder, helped the club rebound with a 3-0 win in the second game Sunday.
Herold threw a complete-game shutout while only giving up three hits on senior day at Gannon University field. Coach Nate Cocolin said it was awesome to see Herold throw such a great game in front of his family, and it was even more important for the conference standings.
“It was really nice to see Herold go out and throw a game like that on senior day, and especially against a good Cal U team,” Tobin said. “He was hitting his spots and mixed his pitches up well.”
Jared Wiesen, a freshman utility player, continues to lead the team with a .337 batting average and nine RBI’s. Nico Baldelli, a senior catcher, has a .318 batting average and leads the team with 17 RBIs. Cocolin said Baldelli’s batting position has put him in a good spot drive in runners this season.
“Players have been doing a great job getting on base before Baldelli,” Cocolin said. “But his confidence at the plate with runners in scoring position has made the difference.”
The Knights continue PSAC action this weekend with four games against Mercyhurst. The Knights host Mercyhurst Friday at 1 and 3 p.m. for a doubleheader at Gannon University Field. Gannon will also take on the Lakers Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. in a doubleheader at Mercyhurst Baseball Field.
Gannon is 11-5 in PSAC play while Mercyhurst is 13-7. Cocolin said that the crosstown rivalry would be more evident because of the proximity to each other in the standings.
