Seven Baseball Players Commit Early to Four Year Schools
Herkimer has received baseball scholarships for 7 of its current Generals to attend their schools after this spring season. Three scholarships are to Division I schools while four of the scholarships are to Division II institutions.
Pat Merryweather: College of Charleston, SC-NCAA DI-Scholarship
College of Charleston finished the regular season ranked 16th in DI baseball last year and advanced to the 2014 Super Regional. After a record-setting 2014 campaign for the Cougars, head coach Monte Lee and his staff have brought in a talented class which will look to make an immediate impact and build upon the program's already-rich success. "We are really excited about this class," said Lee. Coach Lee on Merryweather, "Pat is a left-handed pitcher who throws in the mid- to upper-80s with three reliable pitches. We are confident that he will be a weekend starter for us. He is a bulldog-type competitor and knows how to win."
Marcus Failing: Univ. of Albany, NY– NCAA DI-Scholarship
Marcus is a left-handed pitcher for Herkimer with a upper 80's fastball and a strong will to compete. Marcus will play for 16 year Head Coach Jon Mueller and his Great Danes program. Coach Muller on Failing, "We are extremely excited to add Marcus to our program. Marcus is a fierce competitor and has had success at every level. We expect him to come in and contribute immediately."
Joe Nellis: St. Johns University, NY-NCAA DI-Scholarship
Nellis is a left-handed pitcher with a low 90's fastball and very strong command of his pitches. Nellis will follow former General Joe Kuzia who is coming off a stellar junior season for the Red Storm. Nellis will play for Head Coach Ed Blankmeyer the winningest coach in St. John's baseball history with over 600 wins. Pitching Coach Corey Muscara was a big part in landing Nellis. "We are very excited to add Joe to our pitching staff in 2015-16. Joe is a power arm who combines elite stuff with the ability to command it. We expect Joe to come in and make an immediate impact in our program," stated Muscara.
Jacob Shortslef: Lynn University, FL-NCAA DII-Scholarship
Jacob is a right-handed pitcher with a power arm that has a fastball in the 92-95 range. Jacob will take his talents to play for Head Coach Rudy Garbalosa the program's all-time winningest coach, he added much more to his legacy in 2009 when he guided the Fighting Knights to their first NCAA Division II National Championship and the school's 19th overall.
Tyler Phillips: Erskine, SC-NCAA DII-Scholarship
Mike Harrington: Erskine, SC-NCAA DII-Scholarship
Phillips will try and replace former General Brandon Overstreet who was an All Conference shortstop for the Flying Fleet last season. Overstreet and Phillips were both All Americans for Herkimer during their time here. Harrington is a big right handed pitcher with plus control and the ability to throw multiple pitches command. They will play for Head Coach Kevin Nichols who also coached Herkimer skipper Jason Rathbun. Nichols stated, "We are very excited to have two great players from a proven program that excels on and off the field. We expect both Phillips and Harrington to be immediate contributors on the field for us."
Brandon Nylin: Saint Thomas Aquinas, NY-NCAA DII-Scholarship
Brandon has committed to play for Head Coach T. Scott Muscat who enters his 15th season as the Spartans Head Baseball Coach. In 2000 he took over a struggling NAIA program and helped to reclassify as an NCAA DII member. Under his leadership the Spartans have qualified for their conference tournament in nine of their first eleven NCAA seasons while compiling a 156-115 conference record.