Jake Hall might have a weekend that’s on par with what occurred May 16 and 17, but it will take something special to top it.
The Mercyhurst baseball team claimed a spot at the Division II College World Series on May 17, and Hall, a South graduate, was a huge contributor.
Facing elimination at their home ballpark after a loss on May 15 in a D-II regional tournament, Mercyhurst (39-9) needed to keep winning to advance, and with Hall manning the backend of the bullpen, the Lakers did that.
Hall made appearances in three victories in two days, the last a 2 2/3 save on May 17 in a 2-0 CWS-clinching win over Millersville. Against Winston-Salem State, Hall pitching a perfect ninth to preserve a 2-1 win.
‘Surreal is the perfect word (to describe it),’ said Hall, who induced the final out vs. Millersville causing a wild Mercyhurst celebration. ‘This experience … I’ll never forget it.’
For the tournament, Hall made four appearances, saved three games and was the Most Valuable Player.
‘We knew this team was something special before the season started,’ said Hall. ‘We always talked about it. We didn’t want anything less than a trip to Cary (N.C.).
Cary is the site of the D-II College World Series. The Lakers’ first game is May 24 at 3 p.m. against Truman State.
Against Millersville, Hall needed to get eight outs to earn his 10th save of the season. It was a different experience for him.
‘I didn’t want to come out, even though I’m usually a one-inning guy,’ said Hall. ‘It’s definitely a process you have to go through in your mind. It’s mind over matter at that point.’
Two other area players have been key contributors for the Lakers this season, and each fared well at the regional.
Outfielder Giancarlo Saia (Lake Catholic) had an RBI single to give Mercyhurst a 1-0 lead that stood up in the Millersville win, and pitcher Cam Knott (South) started and pitched well in his team’s 6-4 win over West Chester on May 16. Knott didn’t get the decision but pitched five innings, and allowed four hits, one run, one walk and struck out six.
For the season, Knott is 5-1, with a 2.70 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings pitched. Saia, the team’s No. 3 hitter, has a .353 batting average with five home runs, 39 RBI, 28 runs scored and 12 doubles. Hall has a team-leading 10 saves in 20 appearances with 23 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings of work.
Notes
* Ohio University’s Mitch Longo (Mayfield) was named Mid-American Conference MVP after batting .364 with four home runs, 46 RBI, 44 runs and nine doubles. His 79 hits ranks No. 22 nationally in Division I.
* Arkansas senior Bekka Simko (Gilmour) placed fourth in the 800 in 2 minutes, 5.18 seconds as the Razorbacks won the SEC championship last weekend. Simko’s time is seventh best on the school’s all-time 800 list, and qualified her for the May 28-30 NCAA Division I West Outdoor Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.
* Wake Forest freshman John Maurins (Mentor) earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors with personal-best throw at the ACC Outdoor Championships at Tallahassee, Fla., on May 15. Muarins was in fourth place until his final throw, when he posted a throw of 61 feet, 5 1/2 inches in rain and wind to earn a second-place finish.
* Slippery Rock senior Adam Urbania (Lake Catholic) was a honorable mention Division II pick on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-America team. Urbania hit.427 with eight home runs, 50 RBI and led the nation with 26 doubles. He also had a 34-game hitting streak.
* Lake Erie senior outfielder Aaron Lindgren (South) has agreed to a contract with the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League.
* Presbyterian College second baseman Erin Ruff (NDCL) was named first-team All-Big South after hitting .333 with nine home runs, 27 RBI and 37 runs scored.
To report player statistics, honors and accomplishments, email Sports Editor Mark Podolski at MPodolski@News-Herald.com