By Steve Beard, LebCoSports Senior Baseball Contributor
While it seems like February, when teams were heading south for warmer weather to open the season, wasn’t that long ago, for some teams, time is running out.
D3 playoffs will begin May 3, 2024. Most teams have eight to twelve games left. For Messiah and Penn State-Harrisburg, they look to enter the national top 25 and lock up a one seed for conference play. Mount Aloysius has a commanding view of the AMCC. Others like Virginia Wesleyan, Lancaster Bible College, Stevens, and LVC will treat their final conference games as something akin to a game seven as they try to roll the dice in the post season. For the D3 teams not mentioned, they look to play spoiler or hope for a small miracle to get the final seed. Conference winners, decided on those first and second weekends of May, head to regional tournaments.
There’s a new Number One at the top of D3 JuCo. For the first time in history, Northampton Community College occupies the top spot in national polls. The Junior College season ends the first weekend of May. Playoffs are played by “region” instead of “conference” with berths at the NJCAA College World Series at stake.
Millersville and East Stroudsburg went toe-to-toe this past weekend, with a four game series split at two each. The Marauders remain in great shape, while Ship is lurking in the final four seed spot. For Bloomsburg and Lock Haven, and Clarion in the west, they will need help to play beyond the regular season.
NCAA Division 1 conference playoffs start mid-week before Memorial Day. Time is running out for Mount Saint Mary’s. Alabama toppled the one seed Arkansas this past weekend. Their reward…facing the new #1 Texas A&M in the absolutely brutal SEC.
We will continue to bring you this weekly feature, the only coverage of its kind, through playoffs and post-season award season. Our Featured Player Spotlight this week is no stranger to playoffs or conference awards as we highlight a guy finishing this chapter before he begins to write the next one, which will be life after college baseball.
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The Rankings
April 15, 2024
#15 Alabama (Up from 22)
Mount Saint Mary’s
April 10, 2024
Bloomsburg, Clarion, Lock Haven,#6 Millersville (no change), Shippensburg
April 9, 2024
Albright, Delaware Valley, Lebanon Valley, (RV) Messiah, Stevens, Stevenson, York
Lancaster Bible College, (RV) Penn State- Harrisburg
Mount Aloysius, Penn State-Altoona
Neumann
Virginia Wesleyan
April 15, 2024
CCBC Essex, Chesapeake
April 15, 2024
#1 Northampton (up from #2)
April 10, 2024
#13 Central Penn (Up from #14)
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 SPOTLIGHT
Christian Kreiser, Stevens Institute of Technology (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Senior 1B/OF Christian Kreiser was one of five Ducks to have a base hit in a game one conference 1-0 loss to DeSales on Saturday, which was Senior Day at Stevens Institute of Technology. Game two was a different story, as Kreiser hit a sac fly and a three run home run, adding a walk and three total runs scored on a 2 for 2, 4RBI effort that led Stevens to a 12-1 game two victory to split Saturday (Game Stories and Box Scores). Kreiser had an RBI double in the sixth and added a walk as Stevens took the series from DeSales on Sunday, winning 9-6 (Game Story and Box Score). On the heels of a 2023 season that saw him win MAC Freedom Player of the Week three times, second team all MAC Freedom, and ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division III All-Region 4 Third Team, Kreiser’s senior season sees him near the top of the Stevens lineup in power numbers. He is a career .304 hitter in NCAA Division III Baseball as he finishes the capstone of his baseball career. Kreiser is a Quantitative Finance major known for his academic prowess as well. With Misericordia firmly in control of the MAC Freedom, Stevens will battle Arcadia, DeSales, and LVC for one of four playoff spots with three remaining series in conference, and taking two of three from DeSales was a great first step toward that goal.
Palmyra grad Christian Kreiser (front row kneeling, fourth from left #9) and his senior classmates and families on Senior Day at Stevens Institute of Technology on April 13, 2024. \Photo Source: Baseball Splits a Doubleheader with DeSales on Senior Day – Stevens Institute of Technology Athletics (stevensducks.com) Dave Janosz, Stevens Athletics
Class of 2019/2020
Austin Baal, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’19) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Austin Baal’s RBI single put Ship up 2-0 in a Tuesday non-conference with University of Pittsburgh- Johnstown (Game Story and Box Score). Ship eventually swept a four game series with Lock Haven on Friday and Saturday. In a 4-1 game one win on Friday, Baal has a second inning RBI single and added another a hit and a walk enroute to a 2 for 3 game. His RBI sac fly gave the Raiders all they really needed in a 3-0 victory (Game Stories and Box Scores). At Lock Haven on Saturday, the senior 1B plated the winning run on a sac fly in the fifth as Ship took game one, 6-2. He scored twice in the 9-8 extra innings finale (Game Stories and Box Scores).
Palmyra grad Austin Baal is safe at the plate on April 12, 2024 as Shippensburg began a four game sweep of Lock Haven. \Photo Source: 2024 Baseball vs. Lock Haven – Image 9: Austin Baal – Shippensburg University (shipraiders.com) Gwen Elsey, Shippensburg University Sports Info.
Brian Coburn, Lancaster Bible College, (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Senior SS Brian Coburn was 2 for 3 with a seventh inning RBI single to bring LBC within three runs of Gwynedd Mercy, but the Chargers bullpen stumbled against the Griffins in a 13-4 loss (Game Story and Box Score). On Friday, LBC’s defense was not up to the task behind starting pitcher Brian Coburn. He was tagged for nine runs, only two of which were earned and the Chargers made four errors behind him enroute to a 13-3 loss (Game Story and Box Score). Saturday’s doubleheader was played at Cooper Field at Millersville University. LBC only managed three hits in game one (Box Score). Coburn had a hit, a run, and an RBI in game two, a 12-5 loss (Box Score). Be sure to check out the United East Standings above, as LBC remains firmly in the top four of the Volt Division in advance of May 3 playoffs starting.
Cameron Dubbs, Penn State Altoona, (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Cameron Dubbs pitched an inning in relief, allowing a run and striking out two as Altoona took game two to split a doubleheader with Penn College of Technology (Box Score). Dubbs was called upon on Saturday to stave off an upset threat from 1-18 Medaille. He tossed two thirds of an inning, mitigating a bases loaded situation to earn the save in a 9-6 victory (Game Story and Box Score). Altoona needs to make up games and make up ground in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference as you can see in the standings at the lead of the column every week.
Amani Jones, Millersville University of PA (Cedar Crest ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
#11 East Stroudsburg hosted the opening doubleheader of a great matchup with #6 Millersville. Saturday belonged to the Warriors in a 3-0/14-3 sweep. Jones was one of three Marauders that actually had hits in the game one shutout. Jones had a hit and an RBI in game two (Game Stories and Box Scores). The Marauders responded in kind on Sunday, sweeping the day 2-1 and 5-0. In game one, Jones was 1 for 1 with a sac bunt. He was 1 for 3 in game two (Game Stories and Box Scores). Millersville is second in the PSAC East, one half game behind ESU.
Jonathan LaBarbera, Bloomsburg University of PA (Cedar Crest ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Bloom finished their four game set with Mercyhurst this week and were eclipsed in game one, losing 4-3. He did not appear in game two (Game Stories and Box Scores) and did not appear versus Clarion on Tuesday on against West Chester on Sunday.
Tyler Long, Mount Saint Mary’s University, (Annville-Cleona ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Following an injury scare caused by an errant fly ball to the wrist that cause him to miss Sunday, Tyler Long was cleared to resume his season. Midweek close to home, Long took the field against Bucknell and his defense was none the worse for wear (Video Link). At the plate, he was 1 for 3 and was hit by a pitch, as the Mount were trampled by the Bison, 3-2 (Game Story and Box Score). On Friday versus Niagara, the senior SS was 1 for 2 with an RBI double and walk in a game that saw the beleaguered MSM pitching staff give up eleven earned runs in a 16-8 loss (Game Story and Box Score). Saturday was more of the same for Mountaineer pitching in a 15-13 loss. Long did his job and was 2 for 3 at the plate including a late two RBI single that brought MSM to within three runs, adding three bases on balls. However when your pitching walks eleven and hits three batters while giving up eleven hits, it’s tough to win at any level. (Game Story and Box Score). Long was 1 for 3 with a sac bunt and was hit by a pitch as Niagara finished the sweep on Sunday, winning 9-5 (Game Story and Box Score).
Kasey Shugart, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Shugart had a hit, two walks, a stolen base and scored twice in a 10-6 loss to Bloomsburg on Tuesday. His bat was quiet in game two and Clarion walked it off for a doubleheader split (Game Stories and Box Scores). Clarion took a pair of 9-8 wins over University of Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday. Shugart had a hit and a sac bunt in the opening doubleheader sweep (Game Stories and Box Scores). On Sunday, Clarion completed the sweep of UPJ, as Shugart had a pair of RBI singles and scored twice in a 13-10 win. He was hitless in game two (Game Stories and Box Scores), but still boasts a .321 batting average.
Kasey Shugart puts the ball in play against University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown on April 13, 2024.
Reader Submitted Photo /Photo Credit: Billie Joe Snyder
Class of 2021
Dylan Beard, Messiah University (Cedar Crest ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
On Tuesday, the red hot Messiah Falcons were met with the news that they had received votes in the National College Baseball Writer’s Association poll as they boarded the bus for Wilson College, riding a ten game winning streak. Down 3-2 in the second inning, Beard launched his first HR this season to tie the game at three (Video). He added two walks and three total runs as Messiah became only the eighth Falcon squad to reach 22 wins in fifty nine years, crushing the Phoenix 15-3 (Game Story and Box Score). Messiah came out flat on Saturday morning and were man-handled by York in game one of a crucial conference series, losing 7-0 in a three hitter. In game two, Messiah’s offense returned to form as they unloaded for a 9-2 triumph. Beard had an RBI single (Video), a double and walk enroute to a 2 for 4 game (Game Stories and Box Scores). On Sunday, the junior 2B was 3 for 5 including a ninth inning RBI double and a pair of singles as well as a stolen base to set up a sac fly for an insurance run (Game Story and Box Score). With the win, Messiah ran their record to 24-7, only the fifth Falcon to win 24 games. They also took another step toward securing a one or two seed and home field advantage for conference playoffs.
Dylan Beard in action for Messiah University at York College on April 14, 2024. /Photo Credit: Jolene Beard
Riley Blatt, Penn State-Harrisburg (ELCO ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Blatt threw a third of an inning to stop the bleeding in an 8-3 Tuesday loss to Mary Washington (Box Score).
Jeremy Eck, Mount Aloysius College, (ELCO ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Eck did not appear this week for Mount Aloysius.
Mason Kepler, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Junior Catcher Mason Kepler was hitless in game one and did not appear in game two a Tuesday doubleheader versus Bloomsburg (Game Stories and Box Scores). Mason Keplers RBI single in the eighth gave the Golden Eagles a lead they would never relinquish in a game one defeat of University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. He also had a walk in the game. He was rested in game two (Game Stories and Box Scores). Kepler had a sac bunt RBI in game one on Sunday (Game Stories and Box Scores).
Gage Miller, Alabama University (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Gage Miller kept his on base streak alive at 32, driving in a run in the third (Video Link) on a 2 for 5 day. The Crimson Tide fell victim to late runs again and lost 5-4 (Game Story and Box Score). The #1 Arkansas Razorbacks rolled into Tuscaloosa to face #22 Alabama. Arkansas took game one on Friday 5-3 in a game that saw Miller with a 2 for 5 with a run scored (Game Story and Box Score). The rest of the series would be very different as The Crimson Tide pulled off upsets in game two and game three. Miller caused damage on Saturday, with a solo home run in the third (Video) and a hit by pitch as ‘Bama walked it off on a slow dribbler and an error in the tenth (Game Story and Box Score). In the finale, Miller was 1 for 2 with a walk to stretch his on base streak to 35 games, as Alabama won game three, 5-0 (Game Story and Box Score). Miller sits third in the SEC in batting average (.412), fourth in OBP (.506), and leads in runs scored (53) (Stat Sheet Link).
Gage Miller rounds second on a home run on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. /Photo Credit: 04-13-24 MBA v Arkansas – Image 18: Alabama baseball player Gage Miller (30) rounds second after his homerun against Arkansas at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL on Saturday, Apr 13, 2024. – Alabama (rolltide.com)
Gavin Neal, Lock Haven University of PA, (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Neal did not play this weekend for Lock Haven versus Shippensburg.
Dalton Reinhart, Stevenson University, (Cedar Crest ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Stevenson locked up with Alvernia over the weekend in a conference matchup that Stevenson needed to secure at least one win. In game one on Saturday, Reinhart was 1 for 4 in a 7-3 loss (Game Story and Box Score). Stevenson and Alvernia were tied 2-2 late in game one on Sunday, but Alvernia prevailed 5-2 (Box Score). Reinhart hit two doubles in a game that saw Alvernia score 18 in the seventh as they pounded the Mustangs in a series finale 28-5 win (Box Score).
Thomas Zeigler, Messiah University (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
The junior RHP/OF did not see action this week for Messiah University.
LebCo College Baseball Prospect Tracker: April 9, 2024
Class of 2022
Austin Beard, Northampton Community College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Number 2 ranked Northampton Community College Spartans continued the mid-week and weekend series grind, opening a three game Tuesday/Wednesday Region XIX set with Camden in advance of Friday/Saturday with Lehigh-Carbon Community College and a Sunday doubleheader with Luzerne (eight region games within six days). The sophomore RHP threw a complete game four hit shut out, striking out thirteen (Video) and walking none as the Spartans rolled, 8-0 (Game Story and Box Score). On Sunday, Beard was the opener and picked up a win, throwing two innings and striking out two as NCC crushed Luzerne Community College, 35-0 (Game Stories and Box Scores). While Beard improved to 7-1 and the staff threw a combined no-hitter, the big news of the day was the 400th win for Coach Adrian Yaguez. The Spartans under Yaguez, who is also the Assistant Athletic Director, have won one Region XIX Championships, have appeared ten times in the Region Final 4, and have made two National Junior College Athletic Association College World Series. On Monday, for the first time in program history, NCC was tabbed as the #1 team in the nation.
Austin Beard delivers a pitch for Northampton Community College at home against Luzerne Community College on April 14, 2024. /Photo Credit: Jolene Beard
Braden Collazo, Penn State-Harrisburg (Lebanon High School ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Sophomore LHP Braden Collazzo saw his first mound action this year as he closed PSU Harrisburg’s Friday win over Lancaster Bible College. He threw a scoreless ninth and struck out two (Game Story and Box Score).
Jacob Deimling, York College of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Jacob Deimling appeared as a pinch hitter in a 7-4 extra inning loss to Elizabethtown on Tuesday (Game Story and Box Score). York’s Thursday game against Randolph-Macon College was postponed/canceled. Deimling had a pinch hit appearance on Saturday at Messiah.
Caleb Fisher, Chesapeake College (Palmyra ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Fisher did not pitch this week for Chesapeake.
Noah Gonzalez, Northampton Community College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
As a late game pinch hitter, Noah Gonzalez drove a double to the left center gap (Video) in support of fellow Falcon alumni Austin Beard as NCC defeated Camden Community College, 8-0 (Game Story and Box Score). On Sunday, Gonzalez had a career day as Northampton put up seventy runs in two games against Luzerne Community College. Following his 3 for 5 performance in game one, Gonzalez put up a video game line in game two—6 for 8 with two RBI and three runs scored—for a final line of 9 for 13 (Game Stories and Box Scores). Gonzalez had the distinction of playing in head coach Adrian Yaguez’ 400th victory at NCC.
Deklyn Marks, Albright College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Marks appeared as a defensive replacement on Monday in a win over the University of Valley Forge (Box Score). The sophomore 2B drew a walk on Wednesday as the Lions ran their win streak to four games, knocking off Penn State-Berks (Box Score). Marks had a quiet day on Friday as Albright ran the streak to five, defeating Widener (Box Score). Marks entered as a defensive replacement at Albright split with Widener on Sunday (Game Stories and Box Scores).
Class of 2023
Robbie Best, CCBC Essex, (Palmyra ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Robbie Best did not play for CCBC Essex this week.
Dylan Byerly, Virginia Wesleyan University, (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Byerly did not see action this week for VA Wesleyan.
Bronson Coburn, Lancaster Bible College, (Palmyra ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Freshman RHP Bronson Coburn pitched two innings in relief in a non-conference loss to Gwynedd Mercy on Tuesday (Game Story and Box Score). Coburn tossed 2.2 scoreless innings in a 12-5 lost to PSU Harrisburg (Box Score). Over 27-plus innings, Coburn has pitched to a very respectable 3.25 ERA, leading the team for anyone who has thrown more than five innings. While his 21BB to 20K ratio is an opportunity to improve, Coburn has been one of LBC’s most effective arms this year and is quietly building a very nice portfolio as he shares one season on the college field with his brother Brian.
Jared Ecenroad, Delaware Valley University , (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Ecenroad made a pinch hit appearance on Wednesday as DelVal crossed the MAC to knock of Eastern, 15-6 (Game Story and Box Score).
Brian Lowen, Central Penn College , (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Freshman SS Brian Lowen was 0 for 2 with a walk in game one as #14 CPC fell to Penn State Brandywine, 13-7 (Box Score). He appeared as a pinch runner in the 10-1 game two loss (Box Score). On a Thursday matinee, Lowen was 1 for 3 with a walk and run scored and stole a base as CPC lost to Penn State Schuylkill, 7-5 (Box Score). Previously, USCAA has taken ten teams to the Small College World Series as announced in early May.
Nick Pagano, Neumann University, (ELCO ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Pagano did not appear this week for Neumann.
Jordy Polanco, Lebanon Valley College, (Lebanon High School ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Polanco did not pitch this week for LVC.
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