By Steve Beard, LebCoSports Senior Baseball Contributor
Playoffs are in full swing, with Messiah, #14 Penn State Harrisburg, and Mount Aloysius alive at D3. The PSAC Tournament begins Wednesday and the JuCo guys go to battle this weekend for regional playoffs.
Do you have highlights to share for The LebCoSports.com College Baseball Tracker? Reach out to Steve Beard at lebanon.longshots@gmail.com if you don’t use Twitter/X.
If you do use X, please be sure to tag us at @LebCoSports1 and @Longshots_BBall and we will re-post and link to the Tracker.
PLAYOFFS
Mid Atlantic Conference Commonwealth
May 3-4: (1) Messiah defeated (4) York, 2 games to 1
May 3-4: (2) Alvernia swept (3)Hood
May 10-11: (2) Alvernia at (1) Messiah, Best of 3
MAC Commonwealth Bracket / MAC Commonwealth Playoffs
Mid Atlantic Conference Freedom
Arcadia swept Stevens
Misericordia swept DeSales
This concludes our coverage of the MAC-Freedom Playoffs
MAC Freedom Bracket / MAC Freedom Playoffs
United East Conference Volt Division
(4) St. Mary’s will face (1) Penn State Harrisburg at noon on Tuesday
Winner advances to face Skye Division Champion next week
Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference
May 4: (5) Penn State-Altoona eliminated by (4) Alfred State
May 9: (1) Mt. Aloysius vs (4) Alfred State
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
May 8-May 11 at Slippery Rock University
May 8—9:30am: (PSAC East 3) Millersville vs (PSAC West 2) IUP
May 8—8:00pm: (PSAC East 4)- Shippensburg vs (PSAC West 1) Seton Hill
May 8—9:30am: (PSAC East 3) Millersville vs (PSAC West 2) IUP
2023-24 PSAC Championships Schedule – PSAC (psacsports.org)
Region XX Playoffs
May 7—11:00am: CCBC Essex vs Allegany College of Maryland (play in game)
May 7—11:00am: Chesapeake College vs Garrett College
Region XIX Playoffs
No playoff bracket available at this time
Northampton will face Salem Community College in a best of three this weekend
Old Dominion Athletic Conference
VA Wesleyan was eliminated on Friday by Roanoke.
This concludes our coverage of the ODAC.
Class of 2019/2020
Austin Baal, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’19) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Baal had a double and a walk in a regular season finale loss to Frostburg State (Game Story and Box Score). PSAC playoffs begin May 8 with East 4 seed Ship facing West 1 seed Seton Hill at 8pm on Wednesday.
Brian Coburn, Lancaster Bible College, (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Senior SS Brian Coburn put up a 3 for 6 day with three runs scored, two of which came in a ten run first inning for the Chargers as they opened up United East playoffs with a 16-3 shellacking of Penn State Abington (Game Story and Box Score). For their efforts, LBC was rewarded with a winner’s bracket game against #14 Penn State Harrisburg on Saturday. Coburn was 1 for 4 with a walk, as PSU overwhelmed LBC, 17-8 (Game Story and Box Score). The Chargers bounced back to face St. Mary’s (MD) on Monday for a chance to reach the Volt Division championship. Coburn drew a walk in a 14-2 elimination loss (Game Story and Box Score). Brian Coburn left an indelible mark on the program in his four years at Lancaster Bible College. In addition to being named the 2023 United East Pitcher of the Year (7-3 with 3.63 ERA), Coburn ends his career as a .315 hitter with 16 home runs and 98 RBIs. With more walks (77) than strikeouts (75), his .417 On Base Percentage and .476 Slugging Percentage and 45 stolen bases made him a serious threat near the top of the order for the Chargers. His bat and skillset, as well as his leadership, will be difficult commodities to replace for Lancaster Bible College.
Cameron Dubbs, Penn State Altoona, (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Penn State Altoona was eliminated from AMCC Playoffs on Saturday (Game Stories and Box Scores). There is little doubt that Cameron Dubbs should be named to the AMCC Academic All Conference team again, an honor he has earned every year at PSU Altoona. Listed as an Accounting major, Dubbs finishes with a 4-1 record and two saves.
Amani Jones, Millersville University of PA (Cedar Crest ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
On Thursday, #17 West Chester swept a doubleheader from the #7 Marauders, 7-6 in nine innings and 5-4 in regulation seven innings. Jones was stymied by Rams pitching and was hitless on the day (Game Stories and Box Scores). Millersville sustained their first game series sweep since 2012 on Friday as the Rams won 5-2 and 8-6. Jones was 2 for 2 with a walk and a run scored in the second game (Game Stories and Box Scores). Millersville fell to the 3-seed in the PSAC East will face PSAC West 2-seed IUP on Wednesday, May 8, at 9:30am.
Christian Kreiser, Stevens Institute of Technology (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
On Tuesday, Stevens took a doubleheader from St. Joseph’s Long Island, 14-13 and 5-1 (Game Stories and Box Scores). Kreiser was 1 for 2 with two runs scored, an RBI, was hit by a pitch and drew three walks, hitting an RBI single in the third and a bases loaded walk in the 5th. He was 1 for 4 in game 2. Stevens entered the MAC Freedom tournament as the three seed and drew two seed Arcadia. Kreiser was 1 for 2 and was hit by a pitch as the Ducks lost a heartbreaker, 4-3, as Arcadia scored two in the bottom of the eighth (Game Story and Box Score). In Saturday’s noon game, the second of the best of three, Kreiser was hit by a pitch as Stevens lost 6-3 (Game Story and Box Score). Stevens has a slim chance of being selected as an at large bid for a regional playoff spot, all of which is decided on May 13, 2024. Barring that or a COVID year of eligibility, Christian Kreiser has put the finishing touches on a phenomenal career at Stevens. Clicking on his name above will take you to his full bio for Stevens with a read out of multiple awards, honors, and accomplishments. He sits now with a .307 batting average in nearly five hundred plate appearances, a .432 on base percentage with twelve home runs and 83 RBI.
Jonathan LaBarbera, Bloomsburg University of PA (Cedar Crest ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
In a 24-13 slugfest loss to University of Pitt-Johnstown, LaBarbera was 3 for 5 with two RBI, was hit by a pitch, and stole a base (Game Story and Box Score). The senior 3B started off his final series as a college player in style, with a 3 for 3 day, including launching a three run home run, his 3rd of the year, in the fourth to put the game out of reach in a 7-0 victory over Mansfield (Box Score). He had one hit and an RBI in game two, a 16-2 win (Box Score). Bloomsburg closed out their 2024 schedule with a doubleheader split against Mansfield as Jonathan LaBarbera closed out his collegiate career. LaBarbera had a sac bunt in a 2-1 game one loss. In the game two 8-3 win, the senior 3B was 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI single (Game Stories and Box Scores). Barring a potential COVID year, this appears to be the end of a very nice career in his baseball life after Cedar Crest, in which he worked hard through a couple of injuries to earn playing time, establishing himself as a full time starter in his junior year. With a .394 on base percentage, driven by his excellent eye at the plate (50 career BB), the Huskies will need to replace a solid veteran player as he departs Bloomsburg.
Tyler Long, Mount Saint Mary’s University, (Annville-Cleona ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Long was 1 for 4 with a run, his 131st of his career which put him in a tie for first all time at the Mount, as MSM fell 19-8 at Towson. He extended his career record of getting hit by pitches at 37, and added two RBI (Game Story and Box Score). On Friday, MSM took two from the then first place team in the MAAC, Rider University. In game one, Long was 1 for 4 with a double. In game two he scored twice, setting the school record for runs scored at 132 (Video and Graphic) (Game Stories and Box Scores). On Saturday, the Mount fell in game three, in a game that Long was 2 for 5 with two more runs and an RBI, including an eight inning solo HR (Game Story and Box Score). The Mount is now fifth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. MAAC Standings
Kasey Shugart, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Shugart plated the only run for Clarion in a 9-1 loss to Slippery Rock. In game two against Slippery Rock, Shugart’s seventh inning RBI Double tied the game at three, before a subsequent single walked it off for the Golden Eagles (Game Stories and Box Scores). Despite a Friday doubleheader sweep by the Rock, Shugart was 2 for 4 in game one with a run scored in a 7-4 loss. He reached base for the final time in his college career in game two (Game Stories and Box Scores). When the Clarion Golden Eagles Baseball Record Book (Link Here) in updated in the next few weeks, the name “Kasey Shugart” will be very prominent. By our unofficial look at it, for Career Records at Clarion, Shugart will rank #1 in at bats (582), #2 in stolen bases (33), games played (170) and games started (167), #5 in hits (162) and total bases (237), and #9 in walks (49).
Class of 2021
Dylan Beard, Messiah University (Cedar Crest ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
The MAC-C one seed Falcons added a Monday game and faced Juniata at home. With the Falcons trailing by two early, the junior 2B launched his second home run of the year, a two run shot to tie the game (Messiah Video Link). His final line was 2 for 4 with three RBI and a run scored as Messiah won, 8-6 (Game Story and Box Score). The 1-seed Messiah Falcons entered the MAC Commonwealth playoffs with a sense of unfinished business (Video Link) in the midst of an historic season. The 4-seed York Spartans jumped to an early lead and cruised in game one, 11-5, in which Beard had a double and an RBI groundout. In game two, down 2-1 in the sixth, the junior DH launched a towering three run home run to left to breathe life into the Messiah offense (Home Run Video from Messiah). Beard ended game two 2 for 4 with a run and three RBI (Game Stories and Box Scores). Messiah and York were rained out on Saturday and the game was pushed to Monday at 4pm. Beard scored twice in the early going, reaching base by walk and single. He later dropped a sac bunt to move a runner who eventually scored as Messiah took game three of the series to advance to the final against Alvernia this weekend (Game Story and Box Score).
Riley Blatt, Penn State-Harrisburg (ELCO ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Blatt did not pitch this week for #14 Penn State Harrisburg.
Jeremy Eck, Mount Aloysius College, (ELCO ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Mt. Aloysius was off this weekend as the one seed. They face Alfred State on May 9.
Mason Kepler, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Kepler did not play in the final series against Slippery Rock as the Clarion season concluded.
Gage Miller, Alabama University (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Miller was 2 for 3 with a sac fly, but #16 Mississippi State upended #23 Alabama 13-3 on Friday night (Game Story and Box Score). The Tide lost game two while several of their regulars battled some sort of illness as indicated in this X Post (Link) and a lineup that was irregular. Miller left the game in the fifth inning (Game Story and Box Score). He did not play on Sunday. Alabama was hit with food poisoning and social media reporting indicated that twenty four out of twenty seven members of the Crimson Tide, as well as coaches and staff, were in the ER and had IV fluids due to the illness. SEC Standings
Gavin Neal, Lock Haven University of PA, (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Junior 2B Gavin Neal pinch hit in game two on Thursday versus Shepherd (Game Story and Box Score). He did not appear as Lock Haven closed out the season against Shepherd.
Thomas Zeigler, Messiah University (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Junior OF Thomas Zeigler did not appear for Messiah this week.
LebCo College Baseball Prospect Tracker: April 30, 2024
Class of 2022
Austin Beard, Northampton Community College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
#2 Northampton had their final season series canceled on short notice as Bergen declined to complete their obligation to play following their coach being fired, according to reliable sources. Northampton will likely face Salem Community College in an opening round Region XIX playoff to see who will join RJSC-Gloucester in the Final Four. Region XIX Standings
Braden Collazo, Penn State-Harrisburg (Lebanon High School ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Collazo did not pitch this week.
Jacob Deimling, York College of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Jacob Deimling had a great day versus Shenandoah on Monday, with one RBI in the third, one in the fourth, and two in the fifth on a single, hit by pitch, and two run double as York beat the Hornets, 21-10 (Game Story and Box Score). He had an RBI double on Tuesday in an 11-10 loss to Susquehanna (Game Story and Box Score). The 4-seed Spartans visited the 1-seed Messiah Falcons on Friday with a doubleheader to open the MAC Commonwealth best of three playoffs. York jumped to an early lead and beat Messiah 11-5 in game one, in which Deimling DH’d and reached base twice on a walk and hit by pitch. Deimling’s second inning single down the third base line put York up early in game two, but Messiah prevailed 5-2 to set up a Saturday rubber match, which was pushed to Monday due to rain (Game Stories and Box Scores). On Monday, Messiah eliminated York by a score of 9-2. Deimling was 2 for 4 on the day, including a ninth inning single to extent the game (Box Score). Deimling hit .333 on the year, with a lion’s share of his at bats coming in the stretch run.
Caleb Fisher, Chesapeake College (Palmyra ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Because of late posting of the box score, we were unable to report on Caleb Fisher’s start on Sunday, April 28, 2024. In that game, Fisher threw a complete game, striking out four enroute to an 8-4 win (Box Score). Fisher worked out of the bullpen on Saturday, tossing 2.1 innings allowing a run (Box Score). Chesapeake faces Garrett College on May 7 as a play in game to the Region XX Final Four.
Noah Gonzalez, Northampton Community College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
#2 Northampton had their final season series canceled on short notice. They appear to be headed to a three game series to play into Region 19 Final Four. As of our publication time, it will likely be Salem Community College. Region XIX Standings
Deklyn Marks, Albright College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Second baseman Deklyn Marks was 1 for 2 with a walk and hit by a pitch as Albright defeated Muhlenberg 10-6 on Monday afternoon (Game Story and Box Score). Albright finished out the season with their thirteenth win on Tuesday, their most wins since 2014, with a 15-5 win over Central Penn College. Marks did not play Tuesday. Marks concludes a season that saw him walk off a dramatic victory over Stevenson in early April, lifting a sac fly to put down the Mustangs (Game Story and Box Score).
Class of 2023
Robbie Best, CCBC Essex, (Palmyra ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
CCBC Essex has a play in game on Tuesday versus Allegany College of Maryland at 11am.
Dylan Byerly, Virginia Wesleyan University, (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Virginia Wesleyan was eliminated by Roanoke in ODAC playoffs.
Bronson Coburn, Lancaster Bible College, (Palmyra ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Coburn pitched the ninth inning in a loss to Penn State Harrisburg as the last winner’s bracket game in the Volt Division Championship double elimination tournament (Game Story and Box Score). The Chargers were eliminated Monday by St. Mary’s (MD) College by a score of 14-2. Coburn threw 1.2 innings in relief (Game Story and Box Score). Coburn finished his freshman season 3-1 with three saves. He figures to be a big part of the LBC rotation next year.
Brian Lowen, Central Penn College , (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Lowen drew a walk on Tuesday in game one versus Williamson Trade School (Box Score). He was 1 for 3 with a run scored the second game (Box Score) of the doubleheader sweep (Game Stories). Lowen had two hits on a Friday sweep of Christendom at home (Box Score 1) (Box Score 2). Lowen had a hit and an RBI and a run scored in a Sunday sweep of Manor College (Box Score 1) (Box Score 2). Lowen is getting on base at a .404 clip this year. USCAA Coaches Poll
Nick Pagano, Neumann University, (ELCO ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Pagano did not appear this week for Neumann whose season ended on Saturday.
TJT Sports
Kind Hearted Pet Resort
ProSeal
Penn Realty
Buzgon Davis Law Offices
Ask4Noah.com
