The Mercer County Community College baseball team is headed to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series for the second time in three years after plating 32 runs and sweeping a doubleheader against CCBC Essex to capture the Northeast District crown.
After winning the Region 19 tournament, Mercer was pitted against Region 20 champs Community College of Baltimore County Essex on May 20 at home in a best two-out-of-three showdown. Vikings hurler Andrew DiPiazza notched the win in the first game with six strong innings, yielding only a single run; first baseman D.J. Endler led the offensive attack with a homerun and three RBI. Designated hitter Anthony Peroni added a round-tripper and drove in two.
In the second game, the Vikings raked at the plate with 27 hits and 25 runs, winning 25-8. Nine Mercer players had multiple hits, paced by shortstop Vinnie Vaccone’s four hits and two RBI and Jordan Gonzalez with a perfect 3-3, 5 RBI game. Endler and third baseman Anthony Boselli knocked in three apiece.
“The coaching staff is very proud of this group,” Mercer Head Coach Kevin Kerins said. “They are, and have been, selfless this season. They are all about winning and achieving goals.”
The Vikings depart Thursday morning for Enid, Okla., and the NJCAA Division II World Series for the second time in three years. They will play Brunswick (North Carolina) Community College in the first round at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 28 (eastern time).
“They are a solid team and well-coached, as are all the teams in the World Series,” Kerins said. “Our guys have worked hard all year for this and they are looking forward to the challenge in the College World Series.”
The games can be viewed live via the NJCAA website, www.njcaatv.com.
