Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (2/21/2026) – Gwynedd Mercy University (3-0) welcomed Penn State Hazleton (0-1) to Frank O. Genuardi Legends Baseball Field to kick off the Red and Gold's round-robin tournament. With some incredible defense from junior infielder Drew Haines (Hammonton, N.J.), timely hitting from senior infielder Jimmy DeCarlo (Ridley Park, Pa.), and a dominating performance from sophomore pitcher Connor Hafto (Washington Township, N.J.), the Griffins earned a 7-1 victory over the Nittany Lions. Hafto (2-0) finished with a strong 5.1 innings of work, allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out five.
Griffin Highlights:
- DeCarlo started his 3-for-4 day in the bottom of the first inning with a bullet to right field, scoring junior outfielder Noah Waldron (Collingswood, N.J.) (1-0) and giving the Griffins an early 1-0 lead.
- In the bottom of the third, Haines put the bat to the ball and an error from the right fielder allowed both DeCarlo and freshman outfielder Charlie Neal (Mickleton, N.J.) to cross home plate (3-0).
- DeCarlo earned his final RBI (run-batted-in) of the day in the fifth inning with a double to left field, bringing the score to 4-0.
- Gwynedd Mercy University would go on to score three more runs; Haines brought home the run in the seventh (5-1), and sophomore infielder Brady Belfus (Deptford, N.J.) brought home the final two in the eighth (7-1).
Gwynedd Mercy University continues its round-robin tournament tomorrow, Saturday, February 28, when the team welcomes Penn State Abington with a 12:00 p.m. first pitch
