Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (1/14/2022) – "We made huge strides last year, growing together and establishing an identity," stated Gwynedd Mercy University Head Baseball Coach Pete O'Hara. "As a staff, we are eager to see our guys reap the benefits of their commitment to hard work and winning." In 2021 – their first season under Coach O'Hara – the Griffins finished an abbreviated schedule with a 5-16 overall record and a 5-13 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) standing. With a new season on the horizon and a full schedule of games on the docket, Gwynedd Mercy University is ready to compete for an AEC Championship.
 
Foremost, Coach O'Hara foresees a notable improvement for the Gwynedd Mercy University offense as a bounty of veterans return to the Griffin lineup in 2022, "Offensively, we have a veteran group of guys who understand how to work and compete." Headlining the list of returnees are 2021 All-AEC First Teamers*; senior middle infielder/pitcher Billy Collins (Hatfield, Pa.) (*Designated Hitter), senior outfielder T.J. Brasier (Levittown, Pa.), and sophomore pitcher/outfielder Frank Ebling (Cherry Hill, N.J.) (*Utility). Collins led the 2021 Griffins in batting with a .414 (29-for-70) average that produced a .500 slugging percentage (SLG) and accompanied a .500 on-base percentage (OBP). Meanwhile, Brasier produced team-highs in runs (22), doubles (9), runs-batted-in (RBI) (20), total bases (39), and slugging (.534). Ebling established himself as one of the league's top two-way players with a .289 (11-for-38)/.349/.500 (BA/OBP/SLG) slash line and 25.0 innings (7 appearances – 5 games started) of mound work.
 
Also returning to the starting lineup for 2022 are seniors; infielder Brett Swire (Boyertown, Pa.), infielder Jake Martell (Yardley, Pa.), infielder Rob Bailey (Abington, Pa.), and outfielder Jack Jamison (Fort Washington, Pa.), and juniors; catcher Nate Campbell (Royersford, Pa.) and infielder Noah Andress (Levittown, Pa.). Andress batted .361 (13-for-36) with eight runs and seven RBI while primarily hitting in the five-hole (24-of-36 at-bats). Additional returning position players include senior infielder Connor Boyd (Brookhaven, Pa.), junior infielder/pitcher Nick Price (Levittown, Pa.), and sophomore outfielders Zach Redican (Lafayette Hill, Pa.), Quindarius Dye (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.), and Barry Walker (Egg Harbor City, N.J.). Price made 19 starts (19 games played – 19 starts) and drove in a dozen (12) runs during his sophomore season.
 
"We will be young on the mound, but that gives each guy an opportunity to compete for innings," smiled Coach O'Hara. Gwynedd Mercy University's youthful staff will be captained by Ebling and fellow sophomore Mitchell Bramsway (Temecula, Calif.). The duo combined for 11 starts (14 appearances) and a 2-6 record in 2021. Additional veteran arms include Collins, Price, senior Alex Kaupp (Feasterville, Pa.), junior Pat Hasson (Philadelphia, Pa.), as well as sophomores; Giovanni D'Amore (Ambler, Pa.) and Mike Zayas-Bazan (Bogota, N.J.).
 
New to the Gwynedd Mercy University roster in 2022 will be four transfers; junior pitcher Trey Livingstone (Pennsburg, Pa.), sophomore pitcher/outfielder Cody Judge (Elkins Park, Pa.), sophomore pitcher Joseph Golden (Churchville, Pa.), sophomore outfielder J.D. Rubin (Churchville, Pa.), and a crop of eight freshmen that includes pitcher Ryan Bailey (Levittown, Pa.), pitcher Anthony Barbosa (Norristown, Pa.), pitcher Timothy DiRusso (Royersford, Pa.), pitcher/middle infielder Cole Morris (Philadelphia, Pa.), pitcher Zaccary Newsham-Quinn (Bristol, Pa.), pitcher Cooper Root (Runnemede, N.J.), and catcher Justin Smith (Broomall, Pa.).
 
Gwynedd Mercy University begins their 2022 season on Saturday, February 19, when they visit Kean University for a 12:00 p.m. contest. The Griffins' first home game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 2, at 3:00 p.m. versus the University of Valley Forge. The following spring trip to The Ripken Experience (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) will position Gwynedd Mercy University opposite the University of Mary Washington (Mar. 4 @ 4:00 p.m.), the United States Coast Guard Academy (Mar. 5 @ 12:30 p.m.), Delaware Valley University (Mar. 6, 11:00 a.m., @ Myrtle Beach High School), Catholic University (Mar. 8 @ 10:00 a.m.), Clark University (Mar. 9 @ 6:30 p.m.), and Eastern Nazarene College (Mar. 10 @ 9:00 a.m.) before the returning home for a Senior Day doubleheader with Penn State York on March 20 (1:00 p.m.) and the start of the AEC season on March 25 (vs. Immaculata University, 3:00 p.m.).