MCCC continues dominance under Kerins
The numbers are staggering. With a record of 42-4, the Mercer County Community College baseball team is ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA Division II national poll. The 42 victories have broken the school record of 40 in 2014, when the Vikings finished ranked No. 2 nationally.
MCCC is one of just three teams in the nation with 40 or more victories, and their 171 points in the latest poll were just 28 shy of first-place LSU Eunice.
It is a squad that came into the season young and got beat up physically on top of that.
“This team has battled through lots of injuries and challenges,” coach Kevin Kerins said. “They have responded every time.”
Having gone to the World Series as a coach and player, Kerins knows what it takes and thinks this team may have the right quality.
“Getting to the World Series at the Division Two level is very hard,” he said. “I like that this team can win in a variety of ways, and I like their toughness. Both are needed to perform well in the (Region 19) playoffs in two weeks.”
The job Kerins has done in five years as Vikings head man has been outstanding. If he’s not drawing interest from four-year schools, someone in need is not paying attention. Since Kerins initially took over on an interim basis in 2012, the Vikings have gone 181-54 (.770) and have had pitchers taken in the MLB draft each of the past three seasons.
That streak could possibly grow to four (and five in the past six years) with the emergence of freshman Andrew DiPiazza. The Central Regional graduate from Bayville leads the nation with a 0.57 ERA and is the only pitcher in Division II under 1.00.
At 8-0, DiPiazza is seventh nationally in victories. A 6-foot-7 transfer from the University of Alabama, he has allowed just four runs (three earned) in 47 innings, has struck out 69 and walked 15. His 13.2 strikeouts per game average is fifth nationally.
“Each year we put an emphasis on pitching and pitching depth,” Kerins said. “Andrew DiPiazza has been excellent for us. He throws in the low 90s and has garnered lots of MLB interest. We hope he’ll make it four years in a row a pitcher has been taken out of Mercer.”
DiPiazza is the anchor of a staff that includes starters Zach Gakeler, Austin Constantini, Alex Cruz, Christian Waters and Cody Astbury. MCCC has a team ERA of 2.60.
West Windsor-Plainsboro North’s Sid Kumar (.469), Chris Ciliberto (.448) and Steinert’s Anthony Peroni (.425) are the team’s top three hitters. Their freshmen classmates -- Vinny Vaccone, Anthony Boselli, Henry Hawkins, DJ Endler, Tyler O’Dell and Jordan Gonzalez – are all hitting over .300.
At this point of the season, Kerins considers them freshmen no more.
“We are fortunate at our level to have plenty of contact and development time with our players,” the coach said. “We also play a 76 game schedule, including the fall, and it gives our players lots of chances to develop and improve.
“At this point we are a team of sophomores and juniors. With that said, we still have to consider that this is the first time through the playoffs for most of these guys and we are preparing every day to make a run and play well under pressure.” former Hamilton West star Eric Snell, an All-New Jersey Athletic Conference outfielder in 199293 who was drafted out of high school by the Indians.
Snell joined the army in 2005 and served in the 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Col. He was killed in action in Baghdad after a gun battle with insurgents, and a memorial was erected behind home plate in 2008 to honor the late Hornet.
On hand for the event was the Color Guard from TCNJ’s Army Officer Education program, which presents the colors on the field. A TCNJ student sung the National Anthem, and Snell’s niece threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Prior to a moment of silence, TCNJ Sports Information Director Mark Gola read the following:
“We now ask for a moment of silence as we honor the brave men and women who put themselves in harm’s way each day so that we can all live safely. We remember TCNJ ROTC member Omar Vazquez, who was killed in the line of duty on April 22nd, 2011 in Iraq and also to the memory of former Lions baseball player, Sergeant Eric Snell, whose memorial behind home plate stands as a reminder to us all that one of our own answered our nation’s call to serve and gave his all in defense of the freedoms we are enjoying today. To all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect this great nation, we ask for a moment of silence.”
In attendance were Eric’s mom, Mittie White, several family members, and his former baseball coach at Hamilton, Mary Flynn. Mittie was presented with the Gold Star Shadow Box, containing a commemorative license plate and service medals.
According to Gola, Snell’s death was the primary reason Glusz started the exhibition.