5/15/25
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – Fresh off a region championship, Lackawanna College baseball now turns its collective attention to the NJCAA East District tournament, happening this Friday, May 16^th through Sunday, May 18^th, in the Electric City.
 
The four-team, double elimination tourney is hosted by Lackawanna College at both Scranton HS baseball field and the University of Scranton's Volpe Field in Scranton. The four participating teams for the tournament are:
 
Region 19 Champion: Lackawanna College (31-16)
Region 15 Champion: SUNY Rockland CC (30-17-1)
Region 3/21 Champion: UConn Avery Point (29-6)
Region 19 Runner-Up: Mercer County CC (34-18)
 
The games will start at 10:00am ET on Friday, May 16^th. Lackawanna College will host SUNY Rockland CC at Scranton HS, while UConn Avery Point will take on Mercer County CC at Volpe Field. The winning teams will play a semifinal game at 2:00pm ET that afternoon, while the losing teams will play an elimination game at 2:00pm ET. Lackawanna College will play on its home field at Scranton HS, regardless of whether it wins or loses game one.
 
On Saturday, May 17^th, the two remaining teams with a loss will play another elimination game at 10:00am ET at Scranton HS baseball field. The winning team in that game will play the team without a loss in an East District championship game at 2:00pm ET. If the team without a loss wins, they are the East District champion and will advance to the NJCAA Division II World Series. If the team with one loss wins that game, there will be a winner-take-all contest played on Sunday, May 18^th, at 12:00pm ET at Scranton HS baseball field.
 
Every game will have a pay-per-view video livestream available via the Lackawanna College Athletics Network at lackawannafalcons.com/LIVE.
 
The winner of the East District earns the district's sole bid to the NJCAA Division II World Series, taking place May 24^th through May 30^th/31^st at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Oklahoma.
 
This season, Lackawanna College is 1-1 against UConn Avery Point, 3-2 against Mercer County CC, 2-0 against Rockland CC, and 1-0 against Westchester CC.
 
About Region 19 Champion Lackawanna College
The Falcons (31-16) have won ten of their last eleven contests entering the tournament, including four straight and a perfect 3-0 Region XIX tournament performance last weekend. On the road at Mercer County CC last weekend, Lackawanna rallied to defeat Sussex County CC in the first round, 8-4, then slugged it out for a win over Mercer County CC, 11-9, to make the title game. Once there, the Falcons faced Mercer one more time, and Lackawanna was sure to leave no doubt, scoring ten runs through the first five innings and hanging on for 13-6 win to secure its tenth Region XIX championship in program history. You can read the recap HERE.
 
The Falcons have won five district titles in their history. Their first came against CCBC Catonsville in the Northeast District championship in 2012, which gave the Falcons their first ever World Series appearance. The 2012 Falcons finished the year with 47 wins, a program record, and a 1-2 World Series mark. The Falcons won the Northeast District title again in 2013, then won it again six years later in 2019. Starting in 2021, the Falcons were reclassified into the East District, which they promptly took with a pair of wins over Monroe CC. In 2023, the Falcons won the East again, this time rallying twice to defeat UConn Avery Point and Delaware Tech, then taking a low-scoring championship game against SUNY Sullivan to advance to the World Series.
 
On the season, the Falcons are hitting a combined .349, compiling a collective 1.008 OPS, which includes a .449 OBP and a .559 slugging percentage, up to fifth in NJCAA Division II. Lackawanna has 200 extra-base hits, ninth in the country, including 133 doubles (5^th) and 56 home runs (19^th). The Falcons have scored 451 runs this year, a 9.6 runs per game average. Lackawanna has drawn 217 walks and struck out 310 times as a team this year, while stealing 73 bases.
 
On the mound, the Falcons have a 6.42 ERA, giving up 293 runs, 245 earned, on 375 hits through 343.2 innings pitched. Teams are hitting .272 against the Falcons this season, with 16 home runs and 88 extra-base hits. Lackawanna has struck out 378 batters and walked 253. The Falcons have also plunked 66 batters this year.
 
Defensively, the Falcons have 66 errors and a .954 fielding percentage. The Falcons have caught eleven baserunners stealing this year and have forced 18 double plays.
 
Sophomore shortstop Brooks Henderson IV (Feasterville, PA) is tied for first on the team with 69 hits this season, posting a .399 batting average in his 46 appearances. Henderson has a 1.088 OPS with 18 doubles, second on the team, and 55 RBIs, first on the Falcons. He's also got six home runs, tied for fourth on the team. He's got a .458 OBP on the year and has scored 51 runs, second on the squad this year. Brooks has drawn 16 walks on the year and has been hit by seven pitches, and he is second on the team with 13 stolen bases this year. Henderson has 21 multi-hit games this season. He was a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored and a triple in the game one win against Onondaga on March 9^th. Henderson was 5-for-6 in a 21-1 win against Raritan Valley on March 29^th, hitting a three-run homer, scoring three runs, and driving in five total. Henderson was a combined 5-for-7 with four runs, a double, a triple, and two RBIs in the doubleheader win against Monroe CC on April 27^th. He was a combined 1-for-6 with four runs and two RBIs in the two wins against Rockland earlier this season, while going 4-for-9 with two runs and three RBIs in the two games against UConn Avery Point. In the region tournament, Henderson struggled, going just 1-for-13 in three games, but still managed to score three runs and had a two-run homer in the region title game victory over Mercer. Defensively, Henderson has 52 putouts, 125 assists, and ten errors on the year from his shortstop position, posting a .947 fielding percentage and helping turn eleven double plays on the year. Henderson was a first-team All-Region XIX selection this year.
 
First-year outfielder Deacon Brown (Williamsport, PA) has a .431 batting average and is tied with Henderson for first on the team with 69 total hits in 47 games. Brown has a 1.293 OPS and a .518 OBP, second and third on the team in both categories, respectively. Brown has scored 50 runs, tied for third on the team, and he has posted 16 doubles and a team-best eleven homers. Brown's 53 RBIs are second on the team this year, and he has 30 extra-base hits, tied for first this year. He's drawn 23 walks, second on the Falcons this year, and he has been hit by ten pitches, third on the team. Brown has 19 multi-hit games on the year and had a 21-game hitting streak earlier this season. He is currently on a 12-game hitting streak, posting nine multi-hit contests in his last eleven. Brown was the EPAC Player of the Week three weeks ago, driving in 12 RBIs, hitting four home runs, and scoring seven runs, while going 8-for-13 from the dish in three games. Deacon had seven RBIs and two home runs in the game one victory against Monroe CC on April 27^th. He hit a two-run homer and scored three runs in the victory over Delaware County CC on April 30^th. He was a combined 3-for-8 with a run, three RBIs, and a double in the sweep against Rockland on March 30^th. Against UCAP, he was a combined 4-for-9 with two doubles and three runs. Deacon was a combined 6-for-14 with four runs, two doubles, and an RBI in the three region playoff games last weekend. Deacon has 67 putouts, four assists, and one error this year in the field, posting a .986 fielding percentage. Deacon was a first-team All-Region XIX selection this year.
 
Sophomore catcher and designated hitter Jake Kelleher (Exeter, PA) is a .433 hitter through 41 games this season, second on the team in batting average and compiling 61 hits this year, third on the team. Kelleher has a 1.188 OPS on the year, posting a .667 slugging percentage and a .521 OBP, second on the team. Kelleher has scored 52 runs, a team-high, and he has posted 15 doubles, six home runs, and 32 RBIs. Kelleher has drawn 19 walks, and he has six stolen bases. Kelleher has 16 multi-hit games this season and had a 17-game hitting streak ended in the second game of the Monroe CC doubleheader on April 27^th. He was a combined 6-for-10 with seven runs, two RBIs, two doubles, and one home run against Raritan Valley in three games on March 28^th and 29^th. Kelleher had three hits, three runs, and two RBIs in the game one victory against Monroe CC. He played in one game against Rockland on March 30^th, going 1-for-3 with two runs. He played in game one against UCAP a few weeks ago, going 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Jake was a combined 6-for-15 with five runs and three RBIs in three games at the region tournament last weekend. Kelleher has caught three runners stealing this season as a catcher and has 12 assists behind the plate this season. Jake was named a first-team All-Region XIX selection this season.
 
Sophomore first baseman John Hughes (Hamilton, NJ) is a .450 hitter with 58 hits in 41 games this year. Hughes has a 1.433 OPS, first on the team, with 50 runs, tied with Brown for third on the team, and 51 RBIs, third on the squad. He has 19 doubles, a team-high, a triple, and ten home runs this season, second behind Brown in long balls this season. Hughes has drawn 30 walks, first on the squad, and he has been hit by 16 pitches. Hughes has a .588 OBP this year, first on the team, and he's slugging at .845. Hughes has 19 multi-hit games this season, and he has a 14-game hitting streak entering the weekend. Against Monroe CC, Hughes was 3-for-7 with four runs and two RBIs in two games on April 27^th. He had two doubles and two RBIs, along with four runs, in the win against Westchester, going 4-for-5. Hughes was a combined 1-for-4 with a run scored on a home run against Rockland in two games back in March. He was a combined 4-for-6 with three runs, four RBIs, and a double in the two games against Avery Point. Hughes went a combined 5-for-10 with two runs, two doubles, five RBIs, and five HBPs in three games at the region playoffs. He has 226 putouts and 20 assists at first base this season, with a .984 fielding percentage. Hughes was a first-team All-Region XIX selection, and the Region XIX Player Of The Year.
 
Sophomore Louis Kegerreis (Murrysville, PA) is a .360 hitter this season through 42 appearances, collecting 54 total hits. Kegerreis has 49 runs scored this season, fifth on the Falcons, and he has 17 doubles and seven home runs this year, driving in 48 RBIs. Kegerreis has a 1.069 OPS this year, with a .456 OBP. He has drawn 17 walks and been hit by 12 pitches on the season. Kegerreis has 16 multi-hit games this season and enters the weekend on an eight-game hitting streak. Kegerreis has been on a tear as of late, posting five multi-hit games in his last eight contests. He has driven in 18 RBIs, scored ten runs, and hit three home runs and three doubles in that eight-game stretch. Kegerreis had a grand slam and a double against Delaware County on April 30^th, and he had five RBIs, a two-run home run, and a double in the 13-1 win against Monroe CC on April 27^th. He was a combined 4-for-6 with three runs, a double, and two RBIs in the two wins against Rockland earlier this year. Kegerreis was a combined 3-for-6 with two runs, a homer, and two RBIs against UCAP two weeks ago. He was a combined 4-for-13 with four runs, five RBIs, and a double in three games at the region tournament. He has 55 putouts and 44 assists this season in the field, turning seven double plays on the season. Kegerreis was named to the second-team All-Region XIX squad this year.
 
Sophomore outfielder Nick Matson (Nanticoke, PA) is a .318 hitter this season through 45 games, collecting 47 hits and driving in 41 RBIs. Matson has scored 30 runs, has put up 12 doubles on the year, and has three home runs. He has drawn 16 walks and has stolen 14 bases, first on the team. Matson has 16 multi-hit games this season, and he has recorded a hit in nine of his last eleven games. Matson was 3-for-7 with three runs and four RBIs in the doubleheader sweep over Monroe CC on April 27^th. He was held without a hit in three at-bats against Rockland in two games this season, and he was 1-for-7 with two RBIs against Avery Point a few weeks ago. Nick was 3-for-13 with three runs, a triple, and three RBIs in three games in the region tournament. Matson has 76 putouts on the season with a .975 fielding percentage in center field.
 
Sophomore catcher Kenny Hirschfeld (New Hyde Park, NY) is a .389 hitter this season in his 31 appearances, collecting 35 total hits and driving in 23 RBIs. Hirschfeld has nine doubles and two homers, and he has scored 25 runs. Hirschfeld has a 1.005 OPS on the season. He has nine multi-hit games on the season. Hirschfeld came into the game against Gloucester on March 18^th as a pinch runner and finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, and an RBI. He played in one game against Raritan Valley on March 29^th, going 3-for-5 with a double, a homer, three runs, and three RBIs. He went 4-for-4 with three runs, two doubles, and five RBIs in the 20-13 win against Monroe CC on April 27^th in game two. Kenny was a combined 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI in the two wins against Rockland this year. He went 1-for-4 in the game two win against UCAP two weeks ago. He did not appear in the region tournament for the Falcons. Hirschfeld has five assists and a .962 fielding percentage this season behind the plate, catching a pair of runners stealing.
 
Sophomore infielder Tyler Lepage (Macungie, PA) is a .424 hitter with a 1.227 OPS through 25 appearances this season. Lepage has five homers and 21 RBIs this year. He has a .727 slugging percentage this season. Lepage has 16 runs scored on the year and carries a .500 OBP. Lepage has drawn nine walks and been hit by a pair of pitches. Lepage has nine multi-hit games this season. He was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, two homers, and three RBI in a 15-7 loss to Patrick & Henry on February 23^rd. He went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, four RBI, and two homers in a win against Bryant & Stratton back on February 9^th. Lepage missed four games, but returned to the lineup on March 12^th against RCSJ Cumberland. However, he left the March 28^th game against Raritan Valley early with an injury. He was 1-for-1 with an RBI double. He missed nine games for the Falcons before making appearances in all three games against Mercer. He was a combined 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Lepage missed another two weeks until seeing time against Monroe CC on April 27^th, going 1-for-1. He was 2-for-4 in game one against Avery Point two weeks ago. Lepage was not available for the Falcons against Rockland earlier this year. He was a combined 2-for-11 with two runs, six RBIs, and a double in the three games in the region tournament. Lepage has six putouts and eight assists this season.
 
Sophomore pitcher Liam O'Leary (Souderton, PA) leads the team with 69.2 innings pitched, making 14 appearances, eleven of which have been starts. O'Leary has a 6-4 record with a 4.26 ERA. He has given up 42 runs, 33 earned, on 71 hits, while striking out a team-high 100 batters and walking 31. The opposition is hitting .253 against him this year, and he has hit ten batters. O'Leary's best outing came in his most recent game, where he went a season-long eight innings and struck out a season-best 13 batters in the Region XIX championship win for the Falcons over Mercer County CC. O'Leary gave up seven hits and two runs, but had a stretch where he retired 16 in a row and kept the Vikings off the board for the majority of the contest. O'Leary has recorded at least four strikeouts in 13 of his 14 appearances this season, the lone exception being a one-inning appearance against Sussex this past weekend at the region playoffs, where he struck out one in a relief appearance to close the game out. He went seven innings on March 29^th, picking up the 21-1 win against Raritan Valley CC, giving up just one run on five hits and striking out eight for the win. He went 5.1 innings on April 6^th against Sussex, striking out a season-best eleven batters but giving up four runs on seven hits in a game the Falcons eventually lost, 9-8. O'Leary did not pitch against Rockland this season. He went three innings against Avery Point in game one two weeks ago, giving up one run on two hits and striking out five in a game the Falcons eventually lost, 6-5. O'Leary has six or more strikeouts in nine games this year. He was a first-team All-Region XIX selection this year.
 
Sophomore pitcher Ryan Novakowski (Forty Fort, PA) is second on the team in innings pitched, throwing 53 innings on the year. Novakowski is 5-3 with an 8.32 ERA in his 13 appearances, with eleven starts. Novakowski has given up 52 runs, 49 earned, on 69 hits, with 54 strikeouts and 24 walks. Batters are hitting .315 against Novakowski this year. His best outing came against Allegany on March 15^th in game one of the doubleheader, striking out nine in a complete game shutout in seven innings. He scattered four hits and walked three in the 14-0 win. He pitched seven innings in a win against Delaware Tech March 21^st, striking out a season-best eleven, while giving up six runs, four earned. Against Raritan Valley on March 28^th, he gave up just one run, coming in the seventh inning, while striking out eight and only allowing two hits in a 14-1 win. Novakowski gave up a hit and got a strikeout in an inning of work against Avery Point two weeks ago. He did not pitch against Rockland earlier this year. Novakowski pitched 1.2 innings of work for the Falcons this past weekend at the region tournament, giving up two runs on four hits in 1.2 innings against Mercer in the semi-final game, picking up the win for the Falcons.
 
Sophomore Trey Sajeski (Holland, PA) is third on the team, pitching 50 innings in 13 appearances this season. He's 7-1 with a 5.94 ERA. Sajeski has given up 38 runs, 33 earned, on 61 hits, striking out 55 and walking 24 batters. The opposition is hitting .292 against him this season. Sajeski threw his best game on March 9^th against Onondaga, striking out seven in six innings. He gave up just one run on five hits for the win in the 11-1 victory for Lackawanna. On April 13^th, Sajeski was excellent against Mercer, going the complete seven innings and giving up four runs on eight hits in an 11-4 win for the Falcons. Sajeski struck out five in the victory. He struck out a season-high eight, while giving up two runs on eight hits in four innings in the 20-13 win against Monroe CC on April 27^th. Sajeski has struck out five or more batters in four of his last six contests. He gave up two runs on five hits in two innings against UConn Avery Point two weeks ago, striking out three in a game the Falcons lost. He did not pitch against Rockland earlier this season. In his last outing, Sajeski gave up three runs on six hits in three innings against Mercer in the region playoffs, in a game the Falcons eventually won, 11-9.
 
The head coach for the Falcons is Mike McCarry, now in his seventh season with Lackawanna College. McCarry has had loads of success in his time with the Falcons, making the NJCAA Division II World Series in three of his previous six seasons. In 2019, his first year, the Falcons went 32-17, won the Region XIX championship, and then the Northeast District championship on their way to the national showcase. The Falcons duplicated that result in 2021, going 30-16, winning another region and district title, and then appearing in Enid, Oklahoma for the NJCAA DII World Series. McCarry's 2023 team went 40-17, tied for second all-time in program history in wins, and the Falcons won region and district gold, while also winning two games at the NJCAA DII World Series. McCarry is a southeastern Pennsylvania native, and he has ties to Northeast PA dating back to his time playing at Keystone College in 2003. McCarry started his collegiate coaching career at LaSalle University, where he served as the head assistant. He moved on the Stephen F. Austin as a pitching coach, before joining the Lackawanna staff. He has now won four Region XIX championships in his time at Lackawanna College. He is 197-116 in his career at Lackawanna.
 
About Region 15 Champion SUNY Rockland CC
The Hawks (30-17-1) come into the playoffs on a hot-streak, winning five-in-a-row and taking nine of their last eleven contests. After a perplexing 28-1 loss to Raritan back on April 25^th, the Hawks turned things around, winning a pair from Orange, then bouncing back from a heavy loss at Sussex with a win at Morris and a 3-1 showing against Westchester. Rockland survived a tough game with Orange in their first game of the Region 15 tournament, then beat Westchester, 2-1, in the next game, to get to the Monday final with Westchester again. The Hawks proved resilient, coming back from down 10-0 after five innings with an eight-run sixth and a four-run bottom of the eighth, turning the game on its head and then securing their first region title since 2013.
 
This season, the Hawks are averaging .313 at the plate with a collective OPS of .855. The Hawks have scored 386 runs, averaging eight runs per contest. Rockland has 113 extra-base hits, including 83 doubles and 17 home runs. They have struck out 316 times at the plate and have drawn 272 walks this season. Rockland also has 102 stolen bases. They've also been hit by 64 pitches this season.
 
Rockland's pitching staff has a 6.45 ERA this season, allowing 358 runs, 262 earned, on 401 hits in 365.1 innings. The Hawks have struck out 257 batters and walked 245 this season. Opponents are hitting .305 against the Hawks this season.
 
Defensively, the Hawks have committed 88 errors and have a .944 fielding percentage on the year. They have turned ten double plays this season.
 
Sophomore Alex Exarchakis has a team-best 66 hits in 48 games, posting a .359 batting average so far this year. Exarchakis has a .877 OPS on the year and has six doubles and two triples for 36 RBIs, fourth on the team. His 56 runs lead the Hawks this year. He's drawn 29 walks and leads the team with 27 stolen bases on the year. He has 21 multi-hit games on the year and has a seven-game hitting streak entering the district tournament. Exarchakis was a combined 6-for-16 with two runs and three RBIs in three games in the region tournament last weekend. He went a combined 3-for-8 with two runs, a double, and three RBIs in the two games at Lackawanna back in March. In two games against UCAP, he was 3-for-6 with a run scored back on March 9^th. He was 2-for-11 with a run scored in three games against Mercer this season. Exarchakis has 106 putouts so far this season.


First-year player Abraham Bautista has 63 total hits and has a .389 batting average in 45 games this season. Bautista has driven in 56 RBIs, first on the squad, and has scored 53 runs this year, third on the team. He has 15 doubles, a team-high, and has a .991 OPS, which includes a .472 OBP. Bautista has 24 walks on the year. He has 15 multi-hit games on the season, going 4-for-5 with three runs, six RBIs, and a double in the win against Bergen on March 19^th. He has an eleven-game hitting streak entering the tournament, posting eight games with two or more hits. He was 5-for-12 with four runs and an RBI in three games of the region tournament this past weekend. He was a combined 1-for-6 with a run scored, a double, and two RBIs against Lackawanna in two games earlier this season. He went 3-for-8 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored in three games with Mercer this year and had one at-bat in the one game he appeared in against UCAP. Bautista has 49 putouts and 98 assists on the year.
 
First-year player Ryan Foody is a .439 hitter in 47 games this season, posting 61 total hits this year. Foody has a 1.277 OPS, boosted by his team-high OBP (.608) and team-best slugging (.669). Foody leads the Hawks in extra-base hits (19), home runs (5), and walks (52). His 54 runs are second on the team, and he has eleven doubles this year, as well. Foody has 16 multi-hit games this year, and he had an eleven-game hitting streak recently come to an end in the region playoffs. Foody went a combined 6-for-10 with four runs and an RBI, while drawing four walks in three games. He was 1-for-2 with a run, a double, an RBI, and five walks in two games against Lackawanna back in March. He had a walk and four strikeouts in two games against UCAP in early March, and Foody was a combined 2-for-7 with two runs, three RBIs, a homer, and four walks in three games against Mercer. Foody has 269 putouts and 23 assists this season, posting a .986 fielding percentage.
 
Sophomore Greg Becker has 47 total hits and is a .315 hitter in 44 games this season. Becker has scored 44 runs, fourth on the team, and has 39 RBIs this season. He has eight doubles, two triples, and four home runs, while also posting 23 walks and stealing 23 bags this season. Becker has a .908 OPS on the year. He has also struck out 51 times, highest on the Hawks for the season. Becker has 15 multi-hit games on the year, registering a hit in five of his last six games. He was a combined 3-for-11 with three runs and two RBIs in the three games at the region tournament this weekend. He played only in game one against the Falcons back on March 30^th, going 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. He was a combined 2-for-6 with a double and two RBIs in the pair of games against UCAP on March 9^th. He was a combined 0-for-9 with two runs and seven strikeouts in three games against Mercer. He has 100 putouts and a perfect fielding percentage on the year.

Sophomore Ryan Andino has 38 total hits in 43 games, posting a .302 batting average. He has a .836 OPS, boosted by his .431 OBP. Andino has scored 36 runs and has driven in 21 RBIs this year. Andino has nine doubles and a pair of triples, while drawing 28 walks this season. Andino has eight multi-hit games on the year, with his best game coming against Westchester on May 3^rd, where he was 3-for-4 with two runs, a double, and three RBIs. He was a combined 1-for-9 in three appearances in the region tournament, hitting a double and scoring his run in the championship win against Westchester. Andino was a combined 0-for-2 with four walks and a run scored in the losses to Lackawanna earlier this season. He as the pitcher against UConn Avery Point, picking up the win in the 4-1 victory on March 9^th. He was a combined 1-for-8 with two runs and a double in three games against Mercer. Andino has 52 putouts and 90 assists on the year, turning one double play on the season.
 
Sophomore pitcher Marciano Neglia has made 12 appearances, pitching 56.1 innings on the season. He's 5-0 with a 3.99 ERA. He has given up 43 runs, 25 earned, on 53 hits, striking out a team-high 32 and walking 22. Neglia's best game came against SUNY Adirondack on March 16^th, going the full seven innings and pitching a shutout, allowing only two hits and striking out a season-best eight batters. He pitched against Mercer County CC back on March 1^st, giving up three runs on seven hits in five innings of a 5-4 loss to the Vikings. Negila pitched in relief in the first two games at the region tournament this past weekend, then gave up seven runs on five hits in 3.2 innings of the championship game in a start. Rockland rallied to win it. He did not pitch against Lackawanna College or Avery Point this season.
 
Sophomore Ryan Murphy has made 12 appearances and pitched 47.1 innings this season, going 4-3 with a save and a 6.65 ERA this season. Murphy has given up 41 runs, 35 earned, on 54 hits, striking out 29 and walking 36 batters on the season. Murphy pitched his longest game against Orange on April 27^th, allowing one run on four hits and striking out five in an 8-1 victory over the Colts. He pitched 2.1 innings of relief in his last appearance, allowing four runs on two hits in an eventual 10-9 win for the Hawks against Orange on the first day of the region tournament. He took the loss against Lackawanna College on March 30^th, giving up a run on two hits in 2.2 innings of relief as the Falcons walked off the Hawks for the win. He pitched an inning for the save against Avery Point on March 9^th.
 
The head coach for the Hawks is John Greeley.
 
About Region 19 Runner-Up Mercer County CC
The Vikings (34-18) enter the weekend after taking second place in the region playoffs this past weekend. The Vikings knocked off Morris in the opener, 11-2, before falling to Lackawanna, 11-9, in the semifinal. In an elimination game against Sussex, Mercer overcame an early 2-0 deficit to beat the Skylanders, 11-2, to guarantee their spot in the East District tournament, before falling to Lackawanna in the region championship contest. The Vikings are 4-6 in their last ten games.
 
Mercer last made the World Series in 2022, winning three games, including two elimination games, to make the semi-final round, before bowing out to eventual runner-up, Madison College. The Vikings were region champions last year, but lost to Westchester in the first round of the East District tournament, then got upset by Sullivan in the elimination game. Westchester won the district and went on to the World Series.
 
Mercer enters the weekend hitting .332 as a team, with a combined OPS of .948. The Vikings have scored 418 runs in 52 games, an average of eight runs per game. The Vikings have 177 extra-base hits, which includes 115 doubles, 21 triples, and 41 home runs. Mercer is top 20 in the country in both doubles (16^th) and triples (19^th). The Vikings have struck out 330 times and walked 241 times this season, and they have 149 stolen bases this year. They've also been hit by 77 combined pitches this year. Mercer is second in the country with 42 sac flies this year.
 
The Vikings' pitching staff has a 5.80 ERA, giving up 323 runs, 244 earned, on 399 hits in 378.2 innings on the year. Opponents have struck out 350 times, while drawing 235 walks. Opponents are hitting .275 against the Vikings this season, and they have 113 stolen bases this year.
 
Defensively, the Vikings have 88 errors and a .946 fielding percentage, catching seven runners stealing and forcing 13 double plays this year.
 
First-year player Jordan Raba is hitting .426 on the season and leads the team with 78 hits in 51 games. Raba has scored 64 runs, most on the team, and has 25 extra-base hits, a team-high. Jordan also leads the Vikings with 19 doubles and 38 walks this season. He has a 1.132 OPS, with a .531 on-base percentage and a .601 slugging percentage. Raba has 28 RBIs this year and had stolen 25 bases on the year, second on the team. Raba has 22 multi-hit games on the year and enters the tournament on a 19-game hitting streak. Raba went a combined 5-for-15 with six runs, three RBIs, and a double, along with four walks in four games in the region tournament. In three games against Rockland, all wins, he is a combined 5-for-12 with a run and three doubles. Raba has 71 putouts and 55 assists on the season, posting a .926 fielding percentage and helping turn eight double plays. Rab was a first-team All-Region XIX pick this year.
 
Sophomore Jake Pope is hitting .379 on the season with 67 total hits in 52 games. Pope has scored 53 runs, second on the squad, and he has ten doubles, seven triples, and 37 RBIs. Pope has a .965 OPS this year, with 24 walks and a team-best 32 stolen bases. Pope has 20 multi-hit games this year and had a career day against Camden on May 3^rd, when he was 4-for-6 with four runs, a season-high six RBIs, two triples, and one double. Pope had an excellent tournament last weekend, going a combined 8-for-17 with four runs, two triples and seven RBIs in four games. In three games against Rockland, he was a combined 3-for-9 with three runs and an RBI. Pope has 89 putouts and a team-high 115 assists on the year, posting a .962 fielding percentage and turning 13 double plays. Pope was a second-team All-Region XIX selection this year.
 
Sophomore catcher Owen Friddell has a .381 batting average, second on the team, and has 53 hits in 43 games this season. Friddell has scored 45 runs, tied for third on the team, and has 40 RBIs, second this year. Friddell has 17 extra-base knocks, including ten doubles and five home runs, tied for the team-high. Friddell has 13 walks and ten stolen bases. Friddell's .590 slugging percentage is second on the squad, and he has a 1.032 OPS this season. Friddell has 17 multi-hit games this season. He was 3-for-4 with three runs, two RBIs, and a homer in the 14-13 loss to Gloucester on May 1^st. He was a combined 5-for-14 with five runs, a double, a triple, and five RBIs in four games in the region playoffs. He went a combined 1-for-9 in three games against Rockland this year, with a two-run homer. Friddell has caught 12 runners stealing this season, and he has 20 assists from his position behind the plate this year. Friddell was a second-team All-Region XIX selection this season.
 
First-year outfielder Mikey Amrhein has a .309 batting average through 48 games on the year, posting 47 hits. Amrhein has scored 45 runs, tied with Friddell for third on the Vikings this year, and he has ten doubles, five homers, and two triples. He has drawn 29 walks, second-most on the squad, while stealing 25 bases this year and posting a .959 OPS. Amrhein has 13 multi-hit games and comes into the weekend on a tear, posting five multi-hit games in his last nine contests. He has a nine-game hitting streak entering the playoffs and was a combined 8-for-16 in four games last weekend, scoring seven runs, driving in four more, and hitting a double and a home run in the region playoffs. In three games against Rockland this year, he has two hits in ten at-bats, scoring a run and driving in another. Amrhein has 69 putouts and one assist this season in the field, posting a .986 fielding percentage.
 
Sophomore Joey Socorro has 44 total hits in 38 games, hitting .324 this year. Socorro has scored 35 runs and has five homers, tied with Friddell, Amrhein, and two others for a team-high, with a team-best 41 RBIs. Socorro has ten doubles and two triples, while drawing 12 walks and stealing four bases. He has a .932 OPS this season. Socorro has 15 multi-hit games this season. He was a combined 2-for-13 with a run scored and two doubles, along with two RBIs, in four games last weekend in the region playoffs. Socorro went 3-for-4 with three runs and a homer in the 7-5 win against Rockland back on April 22^nd. It was his only game against the Hawks this year. Socorro has nine assists in the field and has caught four runners stealing this year. Socorro was a second-team All-Region XIX selection this season.
 
Sophomore pitcher Collin Williams has made eleven appearances this year and is 8-1 with a 2.82 ERA. In 51 innings, Williams has given up just 18 runs, 16 earned, on 37 hits, striking out a team-high 68 batters and walking 38 this season. Williams has struck out seven or more batters in six games this season, striking out ten or more batters in three games. Williams struck out ten in six innings against Itasca back on March 15^th, allowing five hits and no runs in the 4-0 win. His best game came against Del Tech on April 5^th, striking out a season-high eleven batters and allowing no runs on three hits in six innings of the 6-0 win against DTCC. Williams got the win in his start against Morris on March 22^nd, striking out eight in four innings, giving up a run on three hits in the 5-3 victory for the Vikings. He took the loss in his last start, giving up six runs on seven hits in four innings of an 11-9 loss to Lackawanna College in the region playoffs. He made an appearance against Rockland earlier this season, striking out ten and walking four in five innings of a 10-1 win against the Hawks on March 1^st, giving up a run on a hit. Williams was the Region XIX Pitcher of the Year and made the All-Region XIX first team.

Sophomore pitcher Matteo Mannino has made eleven appearances, all starts, going 6-5 with a 4.50 ERA this season. Mannino has thrown 54 innings, allowing 42 runs, 27 earned, on 75 hits. Mannino has 30 strikeouts and eight walks this season. Mannino's best game came against Delaware Tech on April 4^th, allowing just two hits in eight innings of a 10-0 victory. He posted a season-high six strikeouts in his last start, allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings of an 11-2 win against Morris on May 8^th in the first round of the region playoffs. He did not pitch against Rockland this year.
 
Sophomore pitcher Michael Whitmore is tied for the most appearances on the team this season with 17, and he's 2-0 with six saves and a 2.66 ERA this year. In 23.2 innings, Whitmore has given up 15 runs, seven earned, on 22 hits, while striking out 24 and walking nine. Whitmore set a season-high with six strikeouts in three innings against Rockland on March 1^st, picking up the win in the 5-4 victory. He also earned a save against Rockland later in the year, pitching a scoreless inning of work against the Hawks on April 22^nd. He picked up a save against Morris earlier this season, giving up an unearned run on two hits in an inning of work. In his last outing, Whitmore gave up three runs, all earned, on three hits in two innings of the 13-6 loss to Lackawanna in the region championship.

The head coach for the Vikings is Russ Stupienski, who is in his third year in charge of the Vikings. Russ was an assistant with the squad for two different stints since 2012, taking over when Fred Carella stepped down after the 2022 World Series run. Stupienski is a New Jersey native, where he was an outstanding baseball player at Northern Burlington HS, before moving on to attend Mercer for two seasons in 2009 and 2010. He was an All GSAC selection his sophomore year, and he went on to play at St. Peter's College, where he led the Peacocks in hits his senior season. Stupienski spent five years as an assistant at Mercer under coach Kevin Kerins, before leaving to be the JV and assistant baseball coach at Limestone College in South Carolina for two seasons. He returned in 2019 as an assistant. Stupienski has guided the Vikings to a 90-64 record in his three years, winning a Region XIX DII championship last year.
 
About Region 3/21 Champion UConn Avery Point
The Pointers (29-6) made the district weekend by virtue of their series victory over Monroe CC last weekend. After dropping the first game on Friday, 6-2, Avery Point bounced back with a massive 28-12 win in game two, surviving a potential rally from the Tribunes to outscore them 14-3 over the final four innings. In the rubber match on Sunday, both teams played a solid, clean game through nine innings, battling to a 2-2 draw right up to the top of the ninth. Finally, it was UCAP that broke through, taking advantage of back-to-back walks and a wild pitch with runners in scoring position to plate the go-ahead run. Monroe got a pair of two-out baserunners on back-to-back walks, but a pop up to short ended the series and gave the Pointers the victory and the district playoff berth.
 
Avery Point is no stranger to Enid, making five trips since 2010, but none since its last trip in 2017. The Pointers made the national championship final in 2010, and they finished as a semi-finalist in 2015. UCAP has made the last four district playoffs, making the championship rounds in 2022 and 2024, but losing twice to Mercer in '22 and dropping the title game to Westchester last year.
 
UCAP is hitting .307 as a team this season, posting a .915 OPS on the year. The Pointers have scored 332 runs on the year, averaging 9.5 runs per game on the year. The Pointers have 87 extra-base hits, with 55 doubles and 19 home runs. They have drawn 219 walks, struck out 234 times, and been hit by 105 pitches this year. UCAP has also stolen 53 bases this season.
 
As a pitching staff, the Pointers have a 4.03 ERA this year. UCAP has allowed 133 runs, 111 earned, on 237 hits in 247.2 innings pitched this year. They have struck out 267 batters and walked just 110 this year. Opponents are hitting .288 against UCAP this season. The Pointers have hit 29 batters and thrown 26 wild pitches.
 
Defensively, UCAP has 43 errors and a .958 fielding percentage this season. The Pointers have turned four double plays and caught 12 runners trying to steal this season.
 
First-year catcher AJ Montejano is a .357 batter this season, posting 41 hits in 34 games this year. Montejano has a 1.019 OPS this season, with a .497 OBP and eleven stolen bases, second on the Pointers this year. Montejano leads the team with 48 runs, and he is tied for third on the team with six doubles. He has driven in 32 RBIs this year and he has put up 12 extra-base hits, third on Avery Point this year. His 26 walks are second on the Pointers this year. Montejano has eleven multi-hit games on the year, including three of his last five games, and he has a seven-game hitting streak coming into the weekend. Montejano was a combined 8-for-16 in three games against Monroe CC last weekend, scoring seven runs, driving in five more, and hitting two triples. He was 3-for-8 with two RBIs and a double in the two games with Lackawanna College a few weeks ago. He was 1-for-3 in one appearance against Rockland this season, hitting a triple and scoring a run. Montejano has 26 assists and a .983 fielding percentage, catching a pair of runners stealing this year.
 
Sophomore outfielder John Bureau is a .357 hitter this season, posting 41 total hits in 34 games this year. Bureau has scored 37 runs, tied for third on the team this year, and he leads the Pointers with seven homers this year. Bureau has 47 RBIs, tops on the squad, and he's got seven doubles and a triple on the year to make 15 extra-base hits, second on the Pointers. Bureau has drawn 25 walks this year, third on the team, and he has been hit by 14 pitches. His .537 OBP is tied for first on the team this year, and he's carrying a 1.191 OPS, second on the squad. He has stolen six bases this year, and he has 13 multi-hit games on the season. Bureau has recorded a hit in 12 of his last 13 games. He had four hits and six RBIs in the 28-12 win against Monroe CC this past Saturday, going a combined 5-for-12 with 8 RBIs and two doubles in three games. Bureau was 3-for-7 with an RBI in two games against Lackawanna College. He was a combined 1-for-4 in two games against Rockland CC in early March. Bureau has 153 putouts and 14 assists, posting a .994 fielding percentage this season.

First-year catcher Tim Cap is a .381 hitter this season, posting 40 hits through 35 appearances. Cap has a team-best 1.232 OPS, and he's tied for third on the team with 37 runs this year. Cap also leads the Pointers in doubles (10), extra-base hits (19), slugging percentage (.695), and walks (34). Cap has a .537 OBP, tied with Bureau for first on the squad, and his five homers are second. Cap has 12 multi-hit games entering the weekend. He was a combined 2-for-12 with three RBIs and a double against Monroe CC last weekend in three games. He had a season-best six RBIs on a triple and a home run in the season-opener against University of Saint Joseph on March 1^st. Cap was a combined 2-for-5 with two RBIs in two games against Lackawanna College earlier this month. He was 0-for-3 in two appearances against Rockland CC back in March. Cap has ten assists and a .986 fielding percentage on the season, and he has caught eleven baserunners trying to steal this season.

First-year infielder Aaron Lopresto is a .317 hitter this year with 38 hits, fourth on the team in 34 games. Lopresto has 38 runs, second on the team, and he has driven in 31 RBIs this year. Lopresto has drawn 21 walks and he's first on the team with 13 stolen bases this year. Lopresto has a .772 OPS on the year. Lopresto has ten multi-hit games on the season, and he was a combined 3-for-13 with three RBIs and a double in three games against Monroe CC. He had a season-high five RBIs on a 3-for-4 showing against Eastern Connecticut on April 30^th. Against Lackawanna, Lopresto was 3-for-6 with an RBI in two games. He was 3-for-8 in two games against Rockland CC in two games on March 9^th. In the field, Lopresto has 31 putouts and 58 assists, with eight errors and a .918 fielding percentage this year.
 
Sophomore pitcher Daniel Lang has made eight appearances, all starts, and is 5-1 with a 4.15 ERA this season. Lang, first on the team with 43.1 innings, has given up 22 runs, 20 earned, on 40 hits. He has struck out a team-best 52 batters, while walking 23. Opponents are hitting .248 against Lang this year. His best game came in a win against Westchester, where he struck out a season-best ten batters in seven innings, allowing one run on two hits on March 29^th. He got another win against the Vikings on April 19^th, giving up a run on three hits in five innings, while striking out eight. He fell in his last appearance, giving up three runs on four hits in six innings, managing to strike out seven but getting the loss in the 5-1 defeat to Monroe CC. He made an appearance against Lackawanna, pitching five innings and giving up four runs on ten hits in a game that Avery Point rallied to win, 6-5. He did not pitch against Rockland this season.
 
Sophomore pitcher Jackson Pray has made ten appearances, five starts, this season. He is 4-3 with a 5.17 ERA, allowing 28 runs, 22 earned, on 43 hits in 38.1 innings. Pray has struck out 50 batters, second on the team, and walked ten batters this year. Pray has hit seven batters this season, and opponents are hitting .270 against Pray. Pray struck out a season-high nine batters in a shutout win over Bridgton Academy on March 30^th, allowing just two hits in six innings. He gave up nine runs on ten hits in six innings in his last start, striking out eight and avoiding a decision in the 28-12 win against Monroe CC. He got the win in game one against Lackawanna earlier this month, pitching an inning of relief and getting a strikeout in the 6-5 win. He pitched another inning of action in game two, but didn't get a decision in the 10-7 loss. He got hit with the loss against Rockland on March 9^th, giving up four runs on six hits in 5.1 innings of the 4-1 loss to the Hawks in game two of the doubleheader.
 
First-year pitcher Albert Savino has made nine appearances and seven starts this year. Savino is 4-1 with a 4.66 ERA on the year. He has given up 22 runs, 19 earned, on 43 hits in 36.2 innings. Savino has struck out 39 batters and walked 17 batters. The opposition is hitting .333 against Savino this year. One of Savino's best games came against Westchester on March 29^th, striking out seven in five innings, allowing one run on three hits in the win. Savino pitched an even better game in his last one, giving up two runs on six hits in seven innings and striking out a season-best ten batters in the 3-2 win against Monroe CC last weekend. He took the loss in game two against Lackawanna in early May, giving up seven runs on nine hits in four innings of a 10-7 loss. He pitched three innings and gave up just two hits in the 4-0 win against Rockland on March 9^th.
 
Connor Lewis is the head coach for the Pointers, now in his second season in charge. Lewis helped lead the Pointers to the East District championship game last year, falling to Westchester in the final. Lewis joined UCAP from Mitchell College, where he was the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Lewis is a Waterford, CT native, where he was an outstanding baseball player, eventually going to the University of Hartford to play baseball. He graduated from Hartford with a Business Administration degree, and he helped the Mitchell pitching staff to a top 20 ranking in several categories in NCAA Division III, including ERA (3.89), WHIP (1.30), and Strikeout to Walk Ratio (3.11). Lewis is 49-21 in his two years in charge.
 
What's At Stake
The double-elimination tournament will start on Friday, May 16^th, with two games at 10:00am ET. The matchups are:
 
Game 1: R19 Champion: Lackawanna College vs. R15 Champion: SUNY Rockland CC, 10:00am ET at Scranton HS Baseball Field
Game 2: R3/R21 Champion: UConn Avery Point vs. R19 Runner-Up: Mercer County CC, 10:00am ET at University of Scranton's Volpe Field
 
The winners will play in a semi-final match-up at 2:00pm ET. The losing teams will play in an elimination game at 2:00pm ET. Lackawanna will play at its home field, regardless of whether it wins or loses its first game.
 
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, Elimination Game, 2:00pm ET
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, Semi-Final Game, 2:00pm ET
 
On Saturday, May 17^th, the winner from game three and the loser from game four will play in another elimination game at 10:00am ET at Scranton HS Baseball Field. The winner from that game will face the remaining unbeaten squad in a district championship game at 2:00pm ET.
 
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, Elimination Game, 10:00am ET
Game 6: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 4, East District Championship, 2:00pm ET
 
If the team with one loss defeats the undefeated team, there will be a winner-take-all East District championship game set for 12:00pm ET on Sunday, May 18^th, at Scranton HS Baseball Field.
 
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, East District Championship, 12:00pm ET (IF NECESSARY)
 
There will be a pay-per-view video livestream available for every single game via the Lackawanna College Athletics Network at lackawannafalcons.com/LIVE.
 
All the tournament information can be found HERE.
 
The winner of the district tournament will be the East District representative in the NJCAA Division II Baseball World Series, set to start on Saturday, May 24^th, in Enid, Oklahoma.