| Matchup |
Merrimack (0-0) vs.
#13 Florida Southern (5-2) // Davenport (3-0) |
| Dates//Times |
Thurs., Feb. 21 (6 pm) // Sun., Feb. 24 (9 am | 12 pm) |
| Venue (Thurs.) |
Lakeland, Fla. // Henley Field |
| Venue (Sun.) |
Winter Haven, Fla. // Chain of Lakes Park |
| Multimedia |
Live Stats | Video (Thurs.) // Live Stats (Sunday) |
| Social Media |
Twitter // Instagram |
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College baseball program will begin its Northeast-10 Conference title defense this week as the Warriors open the 2019 season with three contests as part of the RussMatt Tournament down in the Sunshine State. The Warriors' season opener will be at No. 13 Florida Southern at 6 p.m. from Lakeland, Fla on Thursday night. The program will then have a pair of days off before facing Davenport University in a twinbill (seven-inning games) beginning at 9 a.m. at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Fla.
2018 Rewind:
- Merrimack won a program-record 31 games in the 2018 season, a campaign that ended with the NE10 Championship and the program's fourth-ever berth to the NCAA Tournament. Merrimack won its first conference title of any kind since 1999 and its first tournament crown since 1996
- The Warriors won 18 of 23 games in April to enter the conference tournament as one of the hottest teams in the league. Merrimack then upset Franklin Pierce in extra innings in the NE10 First Round to reach championship weekend. The program proceeded to top Le Moyne, eliminated host Southern New Hampshire and swept a doubleheader against eighth-ranked New Haven to claim the title
- The Warriors boasted one of the top offenses in the NE10 a year ago, leading the league in batting average (.297). The Warriors' 110 doubles and 114 stolen bases on the season paced the league, as well
- Head coach Nick Barese ended the season with an even 100 career victories, averaging 25 wins per season over his first four years at the helm. Barese has guided the program to its winningest season (2018) and third winningest season (2016 in school annals
- For a full recap of 2018 and a comprehensive preview of the upcoming season, click here!
Five Things to Know:
- Graduate student Garrett Hudson, seniors Riley Sorenson and Matthew Ronai as well as junior Joey Porricelli have been tabbed this season's captains. Hudson and Sorenson will be relied upon as two of Merrimack's top right-handed pitchers. Ronai returns as one of program's top bats while Porricelli started every game at third base and hit leadoff in all 32 contests during his sophomore year
- Ronai earned a preseason all-region selection after receiving three all-region nods (ABCA, NCBWA, D2CCA), a NE10 All-Conference First Team selection and a CoSIDA Academic All-American honor last year. The designated hitter begins his senior season with a chance to achive multiple program honors, including needing 46 base knocks to become the sixth player in school history with 200 career hits
- Porricelli earned an all-league third team selection as one of the most competitive positions in the NE10. He posted a 77-hit campaign with a slash line of .324/.364/.462, notching career highs in doubles (18), triples (3), homers (3), extra-base hits (24), runs (60) and stolen bases (29)
- Merrimack's offense will also be aided by returning starters at shortstop in junior Nick Shumski, second base in senior Anthony Garbarino and first base in junior Thomas Joyce. The outfield will be led by senior Cory Wasylow
- On the mound, both Hudson and Sorenson served versatile roles a year ago, coming out of the bullpen as well as starting on multiple occasions. The former boasted three wins and three saves while the latter recorded the NE10 Championship clinching victory over New Haven. Sophomore right-handed pitchers Vin Zappulla – a NE10 All-Rookie Team selection – and Timmy Kalantzakos – who bested eventual regional champion SNHU with a complete game in the NE10 Championship – are also expected to take on increased roles
Scouting the Opposition:
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Up Next:
Merrimack will be off until next week when the Warriors venture out central Pennsylvania and West Virginia where the Warriors will face Shippensburg in a doubleheader on Saturday followed by Shepherd in a twinbill on Sunday. Saturday's action begins 12 p.m. while Sunday's commences at 1 p.m.
