1/31/2016 7:37:53 PM
The #13 ranked Mercyhurst Lakers and Stillman Tigers returned to LakePoint on Sunday to play their second doubleheader in as many days.
Mercyhurst slugger, Hank Morrison, picked up where he left off last year with a home run in the day's second game. Morrison utilizes a very wide base and quiet hand set at the plate. With a toe tap timing mechanism, he generates strong torque through his lower half, with quick wrists and impressive bat speed. He has natural lift in his swing, that allows his pull oriented approach to drive the ball consistently to left field.
For video of Morrison, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agcFNsBII2A
Lakers' game one starter was 6'5" right hander Joe Gnacinski. The tall, lanky Senior generated impressive downhill action from a three-quarter release point. His fastball topped out at 90 mph in the first inning and comfortably sat in the upper 80's with good armside run. He commanded the pitch well armside, while struggling slightly to work inside to lefties.
Gnacinski generated some deception in his delivery with a slight crouch in his upper-half as he came to the plate. He mixed his pitches well and kept hitters off balance, working his changeup and curveball in with ease.
His curveball showed good depth with an 11-5 shape and some feel for the pitch. He was able to throw it for strikes consistently and bury it in the dirt when necessary to finish an at-bat. Gnacinski's changeup topped out at 83 mph and showed good fading action away from right-handed batters. He slowed his arm slightly for the pitch, but it was still difficult for hitters to pick up.
The game two starter for the Lakers was Senior right-hander Cam Knott. The 5'10" starter worked quickly and attacked the strikezone aggressively with a three pitch mix that generated very weak contact. He showed good, quick downhill action towards the plate with a three-quarter armslot. He worked his fastball in the upper 80's for the first several innings and topped out at 89 mph with good armside wiggle.
Knott's off-speed stuff was highlighted by his 80 mph downward breaking slider that showed good depth and tight spin. He showed good feel for the pitch and was able to throw it for strikes early in the count as well as late to keep hitters off balance. He flashed feel for a changeup that showed slight fade armside and the ability to spot it on the corners.
Infielder Brendan Cox showed impressive bat speed and lift in his swing with several loud outs on the day. The Senior showed quick hands through the zone and he ability to drive the ball up the middle.