By Steve Beard, LebCoSports Senior Baseball Contributor
“It’s not what you achieve, it’s what you overcome. That’s what defines your career.”
– Carlton Fisk
There are a smattering of non-conference weekend games left, but most are now only for the midweek matchups. The D2 and D3 and JuCo teams are all back from their southern trips and will play within their respective region/conference with little exception. As always, the stories wrote themselves this week.
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The Rankings
March 18, 2024
Teams we track: #8 Alabama (up from 13), Mount Saint Mary’s
March 13, 2024
Posts Wednesday after our publication
Teams we track: Bloomsburg, Clarion, Lock Haven,#6 Millersville (no change), Shippensburg
Other PA Teams: 21 East Stroudsburg (up from 24), 13 West Chester (up from 15), RV-Seton Hill
March 12, 2024
Posts Tuesday after our publication
Teams we Track: Albright, Delaware Valley, Lancaster Bible, Lebanon Valley, Messiah, Mount Aloysius, Penn State-Altoona, Penn State-Harrisburg, Stevens, Stevenson, Virginia Wesleyan, (RV)York
(York received votes (RV). PA teams #17 Misericordia and #23 Arcadia each dropped in the rankings, as did #18 Christopher Newport on the heels of getting swept by Penn State-Harrisburg.)
March 18, 2024
CCBC Essex, Chesapeake
March 18, 2024
#5 Northampton (Up from #6)
(Preseason is latest poll)
Central Penn
Note: This column will always use the current week poll and only the poll listed above. For that reason, you might see an apparent conflict in our reporting versus what the college websites will say (and they will always use the poll that ranks their team the highest).
FEATURED PLAYER HIGHLIGHT
Tyler Long, Mount Saint Mary’s University, (Annville-Cleona ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
In late February, the Mounts visited College Park and were throttled by Maryland. The Terps visit to Emmittsburg was a different story with an unfortunate result. Senior SS Tyler Long’s solo HR in the sixth put MSM up 2-0. When Maryland tied it in the seventh, the upset minded Mountaineers responded with two more. However, they allowed on in the eighth and three in the ninth as they lost 6-4 (Game Story and Box Score). Looking to end non-conference play strong, the Mount tangled with St. Bonaventure for a four game set. Long was 2 for 4 with a HBP in a Friday 7-6 loss (Game Story and Box Score). Behind an outstanding outing from Exeter grad Deven Sheerer, the Mount won game one Saturday, 3-1, in which Long was hitless. MSM returned to the loss column on Saturday afternoon, but Long was 1 for 1 with four walks and a run scored (Game Stories and Box Scores). On Sunday, Long was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run, was hit by a pitch and stole two bases, but it was not enough as St. Bonaventure put up eight in the six and rolled over the Mounts, 17-8 (Game Story and Box Score). The senior SS leads his team in average (.324), runs (14), hits (22), total bases (30), walks (11), and On Base Percentage (.452%). Playing on a Mount Saint Mary’s team with a 2-14-1 record has not dimmed Long’s star in the batter’s box as he continues to produce at a high level as a senior leader on his team. MSM plays at Coppin State on Tuesday before opening up MAAC conference play with Manhattan on the weekend.
AROUND THE HORN
Gage Miller, Alabama University (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
In a 9-7 loss to Southern Miss, Gage Miller extended his hitting streak to sixteen games, including a ninth inning base hit that fueled a rally that fell just short (Game Story and Box Score). His hitting streak was snapped in game one with #5 Tennessee, a game in which the Volunteers held the Crimson Tide to seven hits as a team. Despite the hitting streak ending, Miller drew a walk and at that point, had reached base safety in all eighteen games this year (Game Story and Box Score). Not viewing patience as a virtue in this case, Miller immediately started his next hitting streak, leading off Saturday’s game with a scorched double and subsequently scoring to give ‘Bama an early lead in their first SEC win to even the series with the Vols, 6-3 (Game Story and Box Score). In the rubber match, Miller took matters into his own hands late in the game. After scoring a run in the first and the third, the junior 3B launched a dramatic three run “no doubt” home run in the eighth to put the Tide up 7-6, a lead they never surrendered. We couldn’t decide which video to use off X, so here are a couple: Video Awesome Call by Alabama Announcer Celebration Vid. Miller was interviewed in the post-game presser and, not shockingly, he indicated that he was looking for a fastball to hit (Presser Link). (Game Story and Box Score).
In 20 games this season, Miller is hitting .443 with 9 home runs and 27 RBI, leading each category for the #8 Crimson Tide.
The Crimson Tide’s Gage Miller (12) is greeted by his teammates after a dramatic home run in the bottom of the eighth as Alabama took two of three from #5 Tennessee. /Photo Credit: 03-17-24 MBA vs Tennessee – Image 28: The University of Alabama Baseball Team celebrates at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL on Sunday, Mar 17, 2024. – University of Alabama (rolltide.com)
Kasey Shugart, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Senior OF Kasey Shugart remained a hot bat for the Golden Eagles with a 2 for 4 day, adding an RBI single in the seventh. The rally fell short as Clarion lost 9-4 (Game Story and Box Score). Clarion only had one game this week and will return to action March 22.
Dylan Beard, Messiah University (Cedar Crest ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Attempting to build on one of the hottest starts in recent history, the Messiah Falcons traveled down I81 to Harrisonburg VA to face the Eastern Mennonite Royals on Tuesday. Junior DH/UI Dylan Beard singled in the third and walked and scored on a sac fly in the sixth. Coming to the plate with runners on and Messiah down by two in the ninth, he took one for the team (Hit by Pitch) and was replaced by a pinch runner who scored on a subsequent double to give Messiah a 9-8 win (Game Story and Box Score). Beard was hitless in five plate appearances with a walk as Messiah took #4 Salisbury to extra innings, falling 4-3 in twelve innings (Game Story and Box Score). Messiah opened conference play by visiting the pre-season MAC Commonwealth #1, the Alvernia Golden Wolves. In game one in Reading, Beard was 1 for 4 with a sac fly RBI and stout defense at second base (Video Link) as the Falcons opened with a win on the road, 7-2 (Game Story and Box Score). Messiah and Alvernia split the Saturday doubleheader. In Messiah’s game one 10-1 win, Beard contributed a walk out of the DH spot. In game two, he was 2 for 4 with another walk, including a two out 0-2 single to extend a rally that fell short, with the Golden Wolves taking game two, 6-4 (Game Stories and Box Scores). York College finished the weekend 3-0, while Messiah, Eastern, and Hood tied at 2-1 early in the MAC Commonwealth.
Messiah University DH Dylan Beard heads to first after a base on balls on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in MAC Commonwealth action against Alvernia. Messiah took two of three from Alvernia this weekend. /Photo Credit: Kevin Reid (Find him on Instagram at d5ign_editz)
Austin Baal, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’19) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
On Monday, Ship completed its series with Mansfield in a doubleheader at home. In a game one 8-3 loss, senior 1B Austin Baal singled twice in four trips to the plate, scoring in the 6th and 7th, but it was too little, too late for the Raiders. In game two, a 13-4 rout by Shippensburg, Baal was 1 for 2, scoring another sixth inning run and drawing two walks (Game Stories and Box Scores). Following a 1 for 3 day in a non-conference 11-3 loss to Wilmington on Tuesday (Game Story and Box Score), Ship locked up with #15 West Chester and completed a monstrous four game sweep, sure to knock the Rams down the rankings. Senior 1B Austin Baal set the tone early, hitting a three run home run in the first inning of game one. He added an RBI double in the fifth to tie the game enroute to a 3 for 3 game with two runs, 4 RBI, and a walk. In game two, Baal had a hit (Game Stories and Box Scores). Returning to Fairchild Field on Saturday, Baal had a walk in game one and a double in game two (Game Stories and Box Scores). With his strong weekend, Baal has a .436 batting average, and also leads his team in doubles (8), HR (3), BB (18), OBP (.583), and OPS (1.318).
LebCo College Baseball Prospect Tracker: March 12, 2024
Amani Jones, Millersville University of PA (Cedar Crest ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
The Millersville Marauders swept Mansfield in a four game set this weekend. That is likely not a surprise. On Friday at home, the ‘Ville won two pitchers’ duels—3-0 and 2-1. Saturday was anything but. Scoring a school record 37 runs in a doubleheader, Millersville rolled 11-1 and 26-3 and Jones was in the middle of it all weekend. In game one on Friday, Jones was 1 for 3 with a run in the first, all that Millersville would need in a shutout. He walked in game two (Game Stories and Box Scores). Jones had a RBI single in the sixth in Saturday game one enroute to a 2 for 5 game. Game two featured a solo HR, an RBI single, three runs and three RBI in another 2 for 5 performance (Game Stories and Box Scores).
SS Amani Jones warms up in action for Millersville University on March 25, 2024. /Photo Credit: Baseball vs. Mansfield – Image 2: Baseball vs. Mansfield – Millersville University (millersvilleathletics.com)
Christian Kreiser, Stevens Institute of Technology (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Senior 1B/OF Christian Kreiser was 1 for 4 with a walk as Stevens fell to #7 Denison, 5-1, on Monday in Port Charlotte, FL (Game Story and Box Score). Following a rare hitless game against North Central (IL) College (Game Story and Box Score), Kreiser and the Ducks closed out their Florida Trip against the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Kreiser notched a 1 for 4 day with a walk on the final day in Florida as the Ducks won 8-3 (Game Story and Box Score). Returning to Lebanon County to visit LVC, Kreiser took advantage of being in a familiar locale as he was 3 for 5, including a solo home run and RBI single as the Ducks downed the Flying Dutchmen, 7-2 in the finale of a three game set undertaken in Florida (Game Story and Box Score). Kreiser had a hit and an RBI in Stevens’ Sunday win over Montclair State (Game Story and Box Score).
Gavin Neal, Lock Haven University of PA, (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
On the heels of a bases loaded walk in the third, Junior 2B Gavin Neal added an RBI single in the fifth as Lock Haven downed Bloom 4-1 in PSAC East conference play on Thursday. In the game two doubleheader sweep, Neal walked and scored as Lock Haven won game two, 7-5 (Game Stories and Box Scores). On Saturday, he was 1 for 4 with a run in an 10-2 win. In a game two loss, but the score of 8-7, Neal was 2 for 5 with two RBI. (Box Score1 Box Score2). Neal is getting on base at a .475 clip with twelve walks and five HBP.
Mason Kepler, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Showing no lingering effects from an early season injury, junior catcher Mason Kepler launched a two run home run in the eighth inning in a 9-4 midweek loss to Wheeling, the Golden Eagle’s only game this week (Game Story and Box Score).
Jared Ecenroad, Delaware Valley University , (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Freshman infielder Jared Ecenroad singled in a pinch hit appearance in game one of the Saturday doubleheader with DeSales. DelVal lost game one by a score of 4-1. They lost game two by an eye popping 25-20 tally—no, not a typo, twenty five to twenty—in MAC Freedom action (Game Stories and Box Scores). That box score drew national attention from sportswriter Jayson Stark on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Jonathan LaBarbera, Bloomsburg University of PA (Cedar Crest ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Senior IF Jon LaBarbera was 1 for 4 in a 14-4 midweek loss to IUP (Game Story and Box Score). The Friday forecast moved the conference opening doubleheader with Lock Haven to Thursday. Labarbera provided the only offense that Bloom could muster in game one with a solo home run in the seventh in a 4-1 loss. In game two, LaBarbera was 1 for 4 in a 7-5 loss (Game Stories and Box Scores). On Saturday, the junior 3B was 1 for 3 in a game one loss. In game two, which the Huskies won 8-7, LaBarbera was 0 for 1 but drew three free passes, scored a run, and had an RBI (Box Score1 Box Score2).
Dalton Reinhart, Stevenson University, (Cedar Crest ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Junior OF/RHP Dalton Reinhart shrugged off a hitless Tuesday (Game Story and Box Score) to return Lebanon County as the Stevenson Mustangs squared off with host Lebanon Valley College. The return to LebCo did Reinhart well as he tallied a 5 for 5 day with three runs, three RBI, a stolen base, and a walk. While his 0.2 innings on the bump were not as successful, the Mustangs upset the Flying Dutchmen in a wild eight inning affair (due to darkness), 18-16 (Game Story and Box Score). Reinhart was 2 for 4 out of the clean up/DH role in game one versus Hood, an 8-1 loss (Game Story and Box Score). On Saturday, Reinhart had a hit in a game one 8-7 win by the Mustangs. In game two, Reinhart was 2 for 4 with two stolen bases and an RBI as Stevenson fell to Hood, 13-8 (Game Stories and Box Scores). The Middle Atlantic Conference is playing a 9-7-9 inning schedule for conference play.
Brian Coburn, Lancaster Bible College, (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
We cannot disagree with the Lancaster Bible College sports information desk in their characterization of Brian Coburn having a “monster game” against Rosemont on Tuesday, a 21-6 Charger win. The senior SS ran a string of threes across his line score: 3 at bats, 3 runs, 3 hits, and 3RBI, adding a base on balls. Up 15 in the fifth, Coburn had done more than enough and was removed in favor of a pinch hitter (Game Story and Box Score). Coburn likely got off his feet since he was the Friday starter. In opening conference play against Penn College of Technology with a win, Coburn was hitless at the plate, and received a no decision for his five inning outing on the hill (Game Story and Box Score). LBC followed up with a Saturday sweep of the Wildcats. In game one, Coburn added a walk in a 3-2 win. In the finale, the senior SS was hit by a pitch, walked, scored a run, and knocked in a another as LBC put up a ten spot and blanked PCT (Game Stories and Box Scores).
Brian Coburn (left) greets Nick Colarossi (27) as Lancaster Bible College poured it onto Rosemont on March 12, 2024 in Lancaster, PA. /Photo Credit: Chargers Fly Past Ravens – Lancaster Bible College Athletics (lbcchargers.com)
Robbie Best, CCBC Essex, (Palmyra ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Freshman catcher Robbie Best caught for CCBC Essex in the weekend finale loss to Erie Community College (Box Score).
Jacob Deimling, York College of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
York continued to make noise on the national scene as they upended #17 Misericordia to go 3-1 against ranked teams in the last ten days. Deimling was again used as a pinch hitter in the 9-8 Spartan win (Box Score/Game Story not available). Deimling did not play in a York sweep of Albright.
Deklyn Marks, Albright College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
On a blustery Monday at Kelchner Field in Reading, Deklyn Marks was 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored as Albright defeated Lycoming College, 9-8 (Game Story and Box Score). Albright next faced off against Cabrini in their last year as a baseball program. Marks was one of only six Lions to tally a hit as Albright fell, 3-1 (Game Story and Box Score). He did not play in the weekend series with York College.
Noah Gonzalez, Northampton Community College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Sophomore OF Noah Gonzalez pinch hit and played LF in NCC’s Saturday game one win over Salem CC (Box Score).
ON THE MOUND
Austin Beard, Northampton Community College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Sophomore RHP Austin Beard drew a Saturday start against Salem County Community College as the #6 Spartans opened up Region XIX play. Beard pitched a workmanlike six innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs while striking out six. He was again victimized by three infield errors, which elevated his pitch count early (Box Score). (NCC has made eight infield errors behind the righty in 22 innings). Still, Beard was able to mitigate the damage and finished with a three pitch strikeout (Video). Following a Monday game against Holy Family JV, the Spartans lock up with the defending national champs, Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester for a weekend series.
Caleb Fisher, Chesapeake College (Palmyra ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Sophomore southpaw Caleb Fisher worked six innings, allowing five run (three earned) with a walk and three strikeout as the Skipjacks defeated the College of Southern Maryland, 7-5 (Box Score). Fisher is now 3-0 for Chesapeake.
Caleb Fisher delivers a pitch for Chesapeake College against the College of Southern Maryland in National Junior College Athletic Association Action on March 17, 2024. /Photo Credit: 03/17/2024 – Chesapeake College (letsgoskipjacks.com)
Bronson Coburn, Lancaster Bible College, (Palmyra ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Freshman Bronson Coburn worked around a couple of hits and a walk to close out LBC’s beatdown of Rosemont (Game Story and Box Score). He followed up with a save in a 3-2 win in the middle game of a three game set with Penn College of Technology (Game Stories and Box Scores). Bronson Coburn is sporting a 1.74 ERA out of the ‘pen for the Chargers with eleven strikeouts in 10-1/3 innings, establishing himself as a valuable weapon for LBC.
Riley Blatt, Penn State-Harrisburg (ELCO ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Junior RHP Riley Blatt closed out an 8-3 win for the Lions over St. Mary’s (MD) in United East Conference action (Game Story and Box Score).
Jeremy Eck, Mount Aloysius College, (ELCO ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Working out of the bullpen on Monday at The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, SC, Eck tossed a scoreless two-thirds of an inning, including not allowing an inherited runner to score in a tie ball game in extra innings. His job complete, Eck watched as a walk, stolen base, and a double walked off the Mounties. Eck was the winning pitcher as Mt. Aloysius won their third consecutive game in SC (Game Story and Box Score). He was called upon on Wednesday in relief as the Mounties defeated Lesley to run their season record to 8-6 (Box Score). Mount Aloysius College returns home with a 9-6 record following a perfect seven game visit to Ripken.
IN RESERVE AND IN THE ‘PEN
Thomas Zeigler, Messiah University (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
The junior RHP/OF did not see action this week for Messiah University.
Nick Pagano, Neumann University, (ELCO ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
The freshman infielder did not see action this week as Neumann beat Eastern and split with Manhattansville College.
Brian Lowen, Central Penn College , (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Lowen did not appear for CPC this week.
Jordy Polanco, Lebanon Valley College, (Lebanon High School ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Polanco did not pitch this week for LVC.
Braden Collazo, Penn State-Harrisburg (Lebanon High School ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Collazo did not pitch this week for PSU-Harrisburg.
Dylan Byerly, Virginia Wesleyan University, (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Penn State Altoona is off from March 9 to March 19, 2024. They play more locally on March 25, 2024 as they visit Messiah University.
Cameron Dubbs, Penn State Altoona, (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Byerly did not see action this week for VA Wesleyan.
MORE FEATURED MOMENTS
Senior RHP Brian Coburn of the Lancaster Bible College Chargers on the mound on Friday, March 15, 2024, in opening round play against Penn College of Technology. /Photo Credit: Witkowski’s Grand Slam Propels Chargers Past Wildcats – Lancaster Bible College Athletics (lbcchargers.com)
Alabama’s junior 3B Gage Miller completes a 5-3 groundout against Tennessee on March 15, 2024. /Photo Credit: 03-15-24 MBA vs Tennessee – Image 14: Alabama baseball player Gage Miller (12) throws out runner against Tennessee at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Friday, Mar 15, 2024. – University of Alabama (rolltide.com)
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