LebCo College Baseball Prospect Tracker: May 9

By Steve Beard, LebCoSports Baseball Contributor

College baseball playoffs are in full swing. Shippensburg swept their way into the PSAC tourney while Bloomsburg found itself on the outside looking in. York and Stevens lasted a little longer than Messiah, but LVC and Arcadia asserted their dominance on each side of the MAC. Mercer’s run ended early as well, one year removed from the CWS, and Penn State-Altoona upset and ousted Mount Aloysius. Northampton and Bishop State looked to improve their seeding for post season, and Mount Saint Mary’s fought for their playoff life. RIT advanced as well.

Of local note, even though there are no Lebanon County guys on either team, Lebanon Valley College will host the MAC-Commonwealth finals at home this weekend, with a 3pm game one on Friday and a noon doubleheader (if needed) at noon on Saturday (LVC Schedule). McGill Field is a great venue with plenty of seating options and all games are nine innings and it presents a great opportunity to watch some really good baseball. If you want a further drive, you could always check out the United East Conference (Tournament Schedule) at PSU – Harrisburg. And there are plenty of live streaming options for teams that are still alive.

High school baseball players who want to play at the next level should pay close attention over the next several weeks—no matter division or JuCo versus four year, college baseball is clearly for the very talented, on and off the field. Keep an eye on the Lebanon Longshots Twitter feed (@Longshots_BBall) for updates over the weekend.

FEATURED PLAYER HIGHLIGHT

Austin Beard, Northampton Community College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats  Upcoming Schedule

Freshman RHP Austin Beard made his first college start against red-hot Ocean County College, winners of seven of their last nine in game two of a doubleheader. Following up on a 2-1 loss versus Ocean, Beard threw a complete game (7 inning) allowing one run on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts (video) to lower his ERA to 3.81, adding some defensive help (video). With the win, the Crest grad moved to 3-2 on the year (Box Score). NCC won five games over the weekend and are poised for a three seed in the Region XIX tournament this coming weekend.

ON THE MOUND

Dakota Smith, Frederick Community College (ELCO ’21) Season Stats  Upcoming Schedule

Redshirt freshman RHP Dakota Smith made the most of his opener role in a bullpen game, striking out all three batter that he faced in a tune up for playoffs (Box Score). FCC will play May 12-14 in the Region 20 tournament in a division they have dominated (Region 20 Standings). Smith figures to play a large role in FCC’s playoff run as he leads the team in appearances, inning pitched, strikeouts, and sports a 6-2 record.

Cameron Dubbs, Penn State Altoona, (Palmyra ’20)   Season Stats   AMCC Tournament Info

Junior RHP Cameron Dubbs pitched 1-1/3 inning in relief in a slugfest with Mount Aloysius (Box Score). PSU – Altoona prevailed in that game, splitting day one, and forcing a final between the #6 Lions and # 3 Mounties. PSU – Altoona won game three and sent Mt. Aloysius packing for the year. The Lions head to Alfred State for the AMCC finals.

Caleb Fisher, Chesapeake College (Palmyra ’22) Season Stats

Freshman LHP Caleb Fisher entered in relief against Montgomery County and completed the game, picking up the win (Box Score). Fisher threw six innings of two run ball, notching six strikeouts and raising his record to 2-3. He threw 3.2 innings as Chesapeake closed out their season (5-14 Region, 11-24 overall), falling to Prince George County, 6-5 (Box Score).

Jeremy Eck, Mount Aloysius College, (ELCO ’21) Season Stats

Sophomore RHP Jeremy Eck was the losing pitcher as PSU – Altoona and Mt. Aloysius slugged it out, with the 12-11 final going to Altoona (Box Score). The doubleheader split one day one necessitated a final between the #6 Lions and # 3 Mounties, and the Lions prevailed.

IN THE BATTER’S BOX

Gage Miller, Bishop State Community College (Palmyra ’21)  Season Stats  Playoff Schedule

Gage Miller helped BSCC split with Coastal Alabama – East in a crucial series with playoff seeding implications. Miller was 1 for 2 with two runs and a sac fly RBI in a game one 9-4 win (Box Score). Like all but one of his teammates, Miller was hitless in game two, a 1-0 loss (Box Score). His bat came alive for game three, as he had three hits in four at bats, scored a run, and had five RBI in an 18-7 win (Box Score). He had a single and a walk and a stolen base in the series finale (Box Score).  Bishop State is the 2 seed in the South (Playoff Schedule) and they play at 10am (Central Time) on May 11, 2023. All games will be web streamed on the ACCC Sports Network at: https://www.jockjive.com/acccsports.html

Kyle Poorman, Rochester Institute of Technology, (Cedar Crest ’19) Season Stats  Upcoming Schedule

Senior catcher Kyle Poorman was hitless in round one of the Liberty League playoffs, but RIT put down Vassar, 8-4 (Box Score) and 4-3 to advance to next week’s round 2 (Box Score Game 2).

Jake Wagner, Pennsylvania College of Technology (Palmyra ‘19) Season Stats  Upcoming Schedule

Senior OF Jake Wagner was 1 for 5 as PSU – Berks defeated PCT, 4-2 as the two teams finished conference play (Box Score). Penn College finished up with St. Mary’s of Maryland on Monday in a tune up for the United East Conference tournament (United East Conference Standings).

Austin Baal, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’19) Season Stats  Upcoming Schedule

Junior first baseman Austin Baal put together a near perfect game against Mansfield, going 4 for 4 with 3RBI as Ship pounded Mansfield, 11-5 (Box Score). Baal followed up a first inning sac fly with RBI singles in the second and fifth. In game 2, Baal added an RBI double in a 2-0 win (Box Score). Baal’s RBI double in game three gave Ship the lead they would never relinquish and the Raiders completed the sweep, 4-3 (Box Score) in a game that saw Baal finish 3 for 5. By virtue of a #8 Millersville sweep of Bloomsburg, Ship secured the 4 seed and will enter PSAC playoffs (PSAC Standings). The PSAC Tournament starts Wednesday May 10 – a detailed schedule and live stream info is available HERE.

Tyler Long, Mount Saint Mary’s University, (Annville-Cleona ’20) Season Stats  Upcoming Schedule

Junior SS Tyler Long had one of MSM’s three hits against Manhattan in a series opening shutout loss (Box Score). Long doubled his output in game two, with a 2 for 4 day with a walk, two RBI, and a run, but The Mount fell 9-7 (Box Score). Long was on base all day on Sunday, as he was 1 for 3 with two walks and one hit by pitch, scoring three times as Mount Saint Mary’s salvaged one win in the series, 15-10 (Box Score). The Mount will have some work to do in their final two conference series as they are now outside the top six that make it to playoffs (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Standings).

Brian Coburn, Lancaster Bible College, (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats  Upcoming Schedule

Junior two way Brian Coburn had a great weekend against Wells College. In addition to seven innings pitched to run his record to 5-2, Coburn ripped two home runs enroute to a 3 for 4 day with three runs scored and four RBI in a 14-3 win (Box Score). Wells didn’t put up much of a fight in the Saturday doubleheader and Coburn was 1 for 3 with a walk and stolen base in an 11-3 win (Box Score) and had three walks and a run scored in game three (Box Score), a 15-5 win for the Chargers.

Noah Gonzalez, Northampton Community College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats  Upcoming Schedule

Freshman OF Noah Gonzalez continues to make the most out of limited opportunities at NCC, despite a .444 on base percentage. He entered as a pinch hitter in two games over the weekend. In a Saturday win (Box Score), the left hander roped an RBI double (video) and subsequently scored. On Sunday, he was 1 for 3 with a run scored and reached on an error (Box Score not available at publication time). NCC begins playoff this weekend.

Jonathan LaBarbera, Bloomsburg University of PA (Cedar Crest ’20) Season Stats

Following a Shippensburg sweep of Mansfield, Bloom had the unenviable task of facing #8 Millersville, needing a win to make the playoffs. The junior infielder was 2 for 4 in game one of the series, but the Huskies fell 10-3 (Box Score). Millersville only allowed two hits in game two, a 1-0 Marauder win (Box Score). LaBarbera drew a walk in the final game, a sparkling one hitter by MU (Box Score), and Bloomsburg found itself swept out of the playoffs  (PSAC Standings). Despite some early season lineup shifting, LaBarbera worked his way into the everyday lineup and rewarded the Huskies with a great season at the plate.

Amani Jones, Stevenson University (Cedar Crest ’20) Season Stats

Eliminated from the playoffs last week, Stevenson played out the string against Eastern early in the week. Junior SS Jones was 2 for 5 with 2RBI in game one of the series (Box Score) knocking in two runs with an RBI single in the seventh. In an 11-2 win in game two (Box Score) Jones tallied three hits in three at bats, stole two bases and scored three times. In the final game of the season for Stevenson, Jones was 2 for 3 with a run scored as the Mustangs swept the Eagles, 2-0 (Box Score). Jones led Stevenson in batting average (.342), hits (52), and doubles (15). He will play the summer in the Ripken Collegiate League with the Silver Spring – Takoma Thunderbolts (Team Website).

Jacob Deimling, York College of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’22) Season Stats

Freshman outfielder Jake Deimling was hitless but walked twice and scored a ninth inning insurance run as #5 York defeated #4 Messiah, 7-5, in the MAC-Commonwealth play in game (Box Score). York advanced to face #1 Lebanon Valley College. In playoff game one, LVC ace Tommy Moore kept the Spartans at bay, and Deimling was hitless with one walk (Box Score) in an 8-2 LVC win. In the second game of the series, Deimling was 0 for 2 with a walk as LVC hit walk off home run to close the series and eliminate York from the playoffs (Box Score). Deimling had a nice freshman campaign that saw him win the starting spot in RF. Deimling will be on the Palmyra roster in the East Shore TwiLight League.

Gavin Neal, Mercer County Community College, (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats

Sophomore 2B Gavin Neal has been recovering from a deep bone bruise that caused him to miss several games to end the season. He returned for Mercer’s “ two and out” playoff run, with a pinch hit RBI single in game one (Box Score) and adding a hit in game two (Box Score). Mercer bowed out of playoffs early one year after appearing in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II College World Series. Neal will head south to play with The Bradenton Juice (Team Website) in the Florida Gulf Coast League as he considers options from four year schools following a great year at the plate, hitting .337 and getting on base at a .479 clip.

Christian Kreiser, Stevens Institute of Technology (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats

Kreiser had a quiet day at the plate during the 4v5 play in game that saw Stevens nip Wilkes, 6-5 (Box Score). Stevens advanced to play 1-seed Arcadia. Kreiser was hitless in game one of the MAC – Freedom playoffs, a 7-2 loss to (RV) Arcadia (Box Score), and was 1 for 4 in the game two elimination loss (Box Score).  Christian Kreiser figures to receive post season accolades when they are announced, including a likely “all conference” nod given his offensive prowess, including a team leading .348 average, 6 HR, and 1.079 OPS (which was 13^th in the MAC, Commonwealth and Freedom MAC Stats Link).

Mason Kepler, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats

Tough luck defined the season for the Clarion Golden Eagles as they finished their season with back-to-back-to-back one run losses, including two walk-off losses, notching their twelfth loss by one run for the season. Sophomore catcher Mason Kepler was 0 for 2 with a walk in an 8-3 loss (Box Score),  had a pinch hit single in 5-4 loss (Box Score) and was 1 for 4 in 4-3 extra inning loss (Box Score). Kepler will return home following a solid campaign in which he battled nagging injuries. He will play in the East Shore Twi-Light League this summer and work at Kern Landscaping.

Kasey Shugart, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats

Clarion’s season ended with a sweep by Cal U. Junior OF Kasey Shugart was 1 for 3 in 8-3 loss (Box Score), 0 for 3 with a run an a walk in 5-4 loss (Box Score), notched a Sac fly in 4-3 extra inning loss (Box Score) and was 0 for 2 in 5-4 walk-off loss (Box Score). Shugart was second on the team in steals (14) in a tough season for Clarion (4-24 PSAC, 12-37 overall).

Thomas Zeigler, Messiah University (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats

Tommy Zeigler entered as a pinch hitter as Messiah was down 7-3 to York facing elimination. The sophomore outfielder ripped a single past a diving shortstop to keep the Falcons’ hopes alive. Zeigler subsequently scored, but Messiah was eliminated 7-5 (Box Score).

Deklyn Marks, Albright College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats

Albright College ended the season with a resounding win over Clark Summit University, 16-4 (Box Score). Marks was 2 for 4 with 3RBI and two runs scored as the Lions pounded the hapless CSU Defenders, who had allowed 111 runs over their previous five games. Marks intends to return to Fredericksburg Legion under new head coach Ryan Shaeffer as Post 915 looks to improve upon their 4^th place regional showing from 2022.

THE RESERVES

The following players appear on collegiate rosters but did not see action this week due to injury (*) or other reasons.

Riley Blatt, Penn State-Harrisburg (ELCO ’21) Season Stats  United East Tournament

PSU – Harrisburg plays in the United East Conference Tournament this coming weekend.

Braden Collazo, Penn State-Harrisburg (Lebanon High School ’22) Season Stats  United East Tournament

PSU – Harrisburg plays in the United East Conference Tournament this coming weekend.

Jacob Mills, Lancaster Bible College, (Annville-Cleona ’22) Season Stats  United East Tournament

LBC plays in the United East Conference this coming weekend.

Luke Hostetter, California University of Pennsylvania (Cedar Crest ’21) Season Stats  PSAC Tournament

Isaac Wengert, West Virginia Tech (Northern Lebanon ’16) Season Stats

Isaac Wengert finished out his college career at WVU Tech with an impressive 8.03K/9 and four saves in 2023. Following surgery, he will coach in the Valley League.

Dalton Reinhart, Mercer County Community College, (Cedar Crest ’21) Season Stats

LHP will join The Bradenton Juice in Florida this summer.

Dylan Beard, (*) Messiah University (Cedar Crest ’21) Season Stats

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