Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (2/20/2024) – "Our focus is on executing our stuff at the highest level with attention to detail," opened Gwynedd Mercy University Head Baseball Coach Joe Brooks. "We want to consistently play our style of baseball at a high level and work on getting one-percent better each day. We will continue to challenge this group on a daily basis, ultimately preparing us to play our best down the stretch."
 
In their first season under the direction of first-year Head Coach Joe Brooks, Gwynedd Mercy University navigated a road-heavy schedule to a 19-18 overall record and a 6-12 standing in the Atlantic East Conference (AEC). Junior pitcher/outfielder Cooper Root (Runnemede, N.J.) headlined the season with D3Baseball.com All-Region 5 Second Team and American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-Region 5 First Team selections on top of his All-AEC First Team accolade. Jake Martell '23 and senior pitcher Mitchell Bramsway (Temecula, Calif.) joined Root on the All-AEC First Team, while sophomore outfielder Sam Junker (Ambler, Pa.) was an All-AEC Second Team performer following his debut season.
 
"We expect contributions from both returners and newcomers throughout the season," said Coach Brooks. Senior utility/pitcher Frank Ebling (Cherry Hill, N.J.), senior outfielder Barry Walker (Egg Harbor City, N.J.), Root, and Junker will serve as captains after impressive 2023 seasons. Root was the Griffins' most consistent hitter in the lineup with a .395 (34-for-86) batting average (AVG) that ranked second among his AEC peers. He also ranked in the AEC Top-10 for on-base plus slugging (OPS) (9th, .968), on-base percentage (OBP) (6th, .480), and strikeouts (T4th, 11). Root was equally effective on the mound, with AEC Top-10 numbers in innings pitched (9th, 52.2), wins (T9th, 4), batting average against (BAA) (7th, .260), earned runs allowed (6th, 21), runs allowed (5th, 25), earned run average (ERA) (5th, 3.59), and walks (2nd, 13). Similarly, Ebling posted the best numbers of his collegiate career at the plate with 19 runs-batted-in (RBI) and 28 runs scored on a .295 (31-for-105) AVG, a .406 OBP, and a .486 slugging percentage. On the hill, Ebling posted a 4-3 record and a 4.50 ERA with 28 walks and 39 strikeouts over 50.0 innings. Junker highlighted a stellar rookie season with AEC Top-10 numbers in AVG (T10th, .358) and hits (7th, 53). He carried a .358/.462/.405 (AVG/OBP/SLUG) slash line that contributed to 28 runs and 30 RBI. Walker missed most of the 2023 season due to injury.
 
In addition to Ebling, Walker, Root, and Junker, Gwynedd Mercy University returns a healthy cache of talent to the roster. Among the Red and Gold's returning bats are senior infielder Nick Price (Levittown, Pa.), senior outfielder Quin Dye (Conshohocken, Pa.), junior catcher Justin Smith (Broomall, Pa.), sophomore outfielder Chris Nodeland (Hamilton, N.J.), sophomore infielder Jake Moule (Media, Pa.), and sophomore infielder Dom Gerasimowicz (Pottstown, Pa.). An established commodity, Price offered a solid 2023 with a .341 (43-for-126)/.460/.524 slash line that produced 42 RBI and 34 runs scored. Nodeland was also a mainstay in the lineup during his rookie campaign with a .270 (31-for-115)/.387/.391 slash line provided 17 RBI and a team-high 35 runs scored. The Griffins will need to make up for the loss of Martell and Noah Andress '23 among others; Martell was an All-AEC First Team performer with a .342 (50-for-146) AVG, 20 stolen bases (SB), and a program-record 36 walks from the leadoff spot, while Andress knocked in 29 runs and scored 26 in a full season at third base.
 
New bats include transfers; junior infielder Ricky Templeton (West Deptford, N.J./Immaculata University) and Mike Storti (Philadelphia, Pa./Chestnut Hill College) among a host of freshmen; infielders Dalton McDonald (Cinnaminson, N.J.), Drew Haines (Hammonton, N.J.), and Ryan Horner (Cinnaminson, N.J.), outfielders Edward Hoffman (Levittown, Pa.) and Aiden Tesche (Avondale, Pa.), and catcher Ryan Schultz (Westmont, N.J.).
 
Joining Ebling, Root, and Bramsway as returnees to the pitching staff are seniors; Giovanni D'Amore (Ambler, Pa.), Joe Golden (Churchville, Pa.), and Mike Zayas-Bazan (Bogota, N.J.), juniors; Tony Barbosa (Norristown, Pa.) and Tim DiRusso (Royersford, Pa.), as well as sophomores; Tommy Angelucci (Mount Laurel, N.J.), Zachary Freas (Mickleton, N.J.), Ryan Kasper (Levittown, Pa.), Angelo Rosley (Norristown, Pa.), and Gabriel Rosley (Norristown, Pa.). Bramsway earned his All-AEC First Team honors with a 3-3 record and five saves on a 3.86 ERA; he totaled 14 walks and 48 strikeouts over 30.1 innings on the mound. Angelucci made four starts (5 appearances) in 2023 and Barbosa made one in addition to making 10 appearances out of the bullpen. The Gwynedd Mercy University pitching staff will need to work hard to make up for six starts (9 appearances, 30.1 innings pitched) from Billy Collins '23 and a team-high 10 starts (10 appearances) from Trey Livingstone '23; the former was 1-3 with a 6.82 ERA, while the latter provided a 3-6 record with a 7.02 ERA in their final seasons with the Red and Gold.
 
New arms include junior transfer Ethan Ferraro (Gilbertsville, Pa./Northampton Community College) and freshmen; Mateo Arteaga (Levittown, Pa.), Michael Inglisa (Delran, N.J.), and Patrick Talley (Collingswood, N.J.).
 
Gwynedd Mercy University approaches the 2024 season with great anticipation as Frank O. Genuardi Legends Baseball Field officially hosts its first intercollegiate competition on Friday, February 23, when Washington College (MD) visits for a 3:00 p.m. contest.