2009 Mercy College Baseball Recap
2009 Mercy College Baseball Recap
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DOBBS FERRY, NY - The Mercy College baseball team had a season where they uncovered some young talent and saw upperclassmen improve dramatically.
Led by First Team All-East Coast Conference (ECC) outfielder Matt Walsh (Staten Island, NY), the Mavericks won nine games and set themselves up for future success.
Walsh ranked among the league leaders in batting with a .395 average, slugging percentage at a .514 clip, and on-base percentage at .481. He also led the team in hits (45), doubles (9), triples (2), runs scored (22) and stolen bases (13-of-16).
Walsh also made the most of his time on the mound, with a 2.31 earned run average (ERA) in 11.2 innings. In his only start of the season he tossed 7.1 innings against Molloy allowing two runs and striking out seven.
"Matt remained very consistent for us all year. He is a special talent on the field, at the plate, and on the mound," Head Coach Bill Sullivan said. "His willingness to compete is his best asset."
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Matt Walsh |
Junior Michael Grassano (Valley Stream, NY) provided some punch for the Mavericks' lineup. He hit a team-best five home runs and knocked in 26 runs. He also added seven doubles and a .469 slugging percentage.
Junior Julio Torres (Harlingen, TX) starred in the second half of the season, making 13 starts and hitting .360 as a starter. Sophomore Michael Ferrante (Long Beach, NY) hit successfully in 22-of -33 games played and recorded a 12-game hitting streak.
On the mound the Mavericks had some underclassmen establish themselves. Freshman Ray Thaisz (Staten Island, NY) had a 3.38 ERA in 15 appearances. He worked 21.1 innings, striking out 14 batters and allowing 20 hits. Sophomore Stephen Marsar (Seaford, NY) was the workhorse out of the bullpen with 19 appearances with a 4.30 ERA. He struck out 28 batters in 29.1 innings pitched.
"Thaisz and Marsar gave us such a lift in every game they threw in. Marsar has been one of our most productive pitchers over the last two seasons. A leader by example, he will be relied on once again next year to play a significant role for us on the mound," Sullivan said. "Thaisz gained tremendous experience as a freshman. That experience will pay huge dividends for the program moving forward."
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Kenny Tyson |
Junior transfer Kenny Tyson (Miami, FL) started seven games for the Mavericks with one complete game shutout. He struck out a team-high 39 batters in 51.1 innings. In conference play Tyson had a 2.51 ERA with four complete games and a 10 strikeout performance against Adelphi.
"Everyday he [Tyson] throws, you're going to be in the game. He lacked run support down the stretch, but he continued to make quality pitches in big situations. He has great command over everything he throws," Sullivan said.
Junior Frank DeRosa (West Harrison, NY) made eight appearances and recorded a 1.23 ERA over his first seven. Senior Mat Anzivino (Miami, FL) recorded a 4.94 ERA in 47.1 innings pitched. He tossed a complete game effort against Adelphi, allowing two runs and striking out seven.
The season began in Myrtle Beach, SC with three straight wins. First, the Mavericks defeated Bloomfield 2-1 in 10 innings. Walsh delivered the game-winning hit to bring junior Justin Muscarella (Plainedge, NY) around from third base.
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Marc Dern |
In the next game the Blue & White brought the bats out with a 13-6 route over Felician. Walsh went 2-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored. Senior Chris Pannullo (Dix Hills, NY) went 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Junior Marc Dern (Valley Stream, NY) added three hits, two RBI and three runs scored, while senior Ken Mundy (Valley Stream, NY) and Muscarella each had two hits and three RBI.
Against Briarcliffe, the top of the order did the damage going 11-for-22 with nine runs scored and 10 RBI for a 12-6 win. Junior Vincent Tesoriero (Glen Head, NY) went 3-for-6 with two runs scored and one driven in. Grassano added three hits and two RBI.
During the team's trip to Florida they recorded wins over Southeastern and Tennessee Temple. It was a see-saw affair against Southeastern, going to extra innings tied at four. In the top of the 10th the Mavericks scored a pair of runs only to see Southeastern match them in the bottom of the inning. The Mavericks did it again in the 11th and was able to stave off another comeback to win 8-7. Tyson and Pannullo each had three hits for the Mavericks.
In the win over Tennessee Temple, Mercy got seven solid innings from Anzivino. He allowed just two earned runs and struck out six. Walsh pitched two perfect innings to pick up the save. Ferrante went 3-for-5 and Dern added two hits.
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Ray Thaisz |
Moving on to conference play, the Mavericks defeated Concordia 5-1 behind the pitching of junior Steve Merslich (Flushing, NY). Merslich tossed 7.1 innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out four. Supporting him was Dern, who had three hits, and Grassano who went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
Mercy's next win came over St. Thomas Aquinas with a sparkling pitching performance by Tyson who hurled a complete game shutout, scattering seven hits and striking out nine batters. Ferrante knocked in the only Mercy run with a single in the third inning.
The Mavericks slumped over the next two weeks, but posted a non-conference win against Mount St. Vincent. Freshman Walter Kowalczyk (Valhalla, NY) and Thaisz picked up firsts in their careers, notching the win and the save, respectively. Kowalczyk pitched three innings out of the pen, allowing just one run. The bullpen combined for seven innings, allowing three hits, one run and striking out eight.
Mercy was slowed again down the stretch, but closed out the campaign with a conference split at Queens on the final day of the season. The victory came in game one, an exciting 10-8 decision in which Grassano went 3-for-4 with six RBI and a double. Torres also went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two stolen bases.
With solid arms and an experienced lineup coming back next season, the Mavericks will look to improve upon their 2009 campaign.
