COLONIA, N.J. (Jan. 31, 2025) – The Mercy University baseball team has been picked to finish fourth in the ECC Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference office earlier today.

Molloy received five of six first-place votes to top the poll and D'Youville was picked second. The coaches voted D'Youville's Alec Boucher the league's Preseason Player of the Year and D'Youville's Chris AuClair and Molloy's Ryan Hynes were tabbed Preseason Co-Pitchers of the Year.

Head Coach Chris Schoen and the Mavericks look to qualify for the ECC Tournament for the fourth time in five seasons. Mercy went 20-29 overall and 10-14 in ECC play last season, finishing in fifth place.

Leading the returners for the Mavericks is sophomore Nevin Scaperotti who was named ECC Rookie of the Year and Second Team All-ECC last season after going 5-3 on the mound with a 4.52 ERA in 67.2 innings pitched while also hitting .382 with 13 RBI, 26 hits and 10 runs. Senior Alfred Hoti also returns after being named Second Team All-ECC last season and NCBWA Preseason All-East Region earlier this week. The catcher hit .241 with 27 hits, 21 runs, six doubles and 28 RBI. Junior Zach Ashline is back after hitting 11 home runs last season, tying the single-season school record and ranking third in the ECC in home runs. Junior John Nisco returns after hitting .315 a year ago with 28 runs, five home runs and 33 RBI and senior Gabe Sanders is back after hitting .309 with 19 RBI in 29 games last season. Also returning on the mound is senior Matthew Manzoeillo who went 3-4 last season with a 4.19 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.

Head Coach Chris Schoen and the Mavericks open their 2025 season on Friday, February 14th when they face Goldey-Beacom in Cary, North Carolina at 6 p.m.