With local stars leading the way, Mercer reaches JUCO World Series
Ryan Zegarski has put together plenty of quality teams in his 14 years at the helm of the Mercer County Community College softball program, but this year’s group has advanced to a place only two of his previous squads had reached before.
Namely, the 16-team JUCO World Series, which will get underway on May 16 in the town of Clinton in Mississippi.
Mercer punched its ticket to the JUCO World Series when it won a super region in North East, Pa., on Saturday. At the super region, Mercer beat host Mercyhurst University in two straight by the scores of 5-3 in 11 innings and then 14-2.
With the sweep, Mercer qualified for the nationals for the first time since 2010. Mercer also reached the JUCO World Series with Zegarski in charge in 2007.
“It’s been a long time coming, but the girls deserve it,” said Zegarski. “They have worked very, very hard.”
Mercer won the opener when former Neshaminy High standout Sophie Beretski belted a two-run homer in the 11th inning. Sophomore Kaley Wise, who led Steinert to a state title in 2016, went the distance for the pitching win and also drove in a run with a single. Carley Bailey (Allentown) drove in the other two runs with a single.
“The pitcher we were facing was very good,” said Zegarski. “She was throwing like 63 to 64 (mph), but we were finally able to break through.”
Breaking through was not as issue in the second game as Mercer poured across 14 runs to make life easy for pitcher Tatum Marshall (Florence).
Ex-Pemberton High slugger Gabby Earley had a monster game in the clincher with three hits, two of which were home runs, and five RBIs. Alisha Patel (Burlington Township), also had three hits, while Wise, Marshall and Cailyn Seely all had two hits.
One of the team’s three pitchers, Seely also knocked in four runs and belted her first collegiate home run. Along with Beretski, Seely is out of Dave Chichilitti’s strong Neshaminy program.
“We played some really good defense, too,” said Zegarski. “Julie Lydon (Hamilton West) made some great catches in left field
The week before, Mercer won the region at County College of Morris behind a big three-run homer by Wise.
The Vikings will now take a 37-6-1 season record to the national tournament. The JUCO World Series is always loaded with future Division I players, but Zegarski is confident his team will hold its own.
“We were 1-2 both times we went there before, but we could have won all six games,” he said. “We have a fiery, gutty group of kids led by Beretski, who is our lead-off hitter and second baseman.
“We will compete in Mississippi.”