2006 fall magazine - Seton Hall University

BASEBALL ENJOYS
PRODUCTIVE SUMMER
Despite a disappointing 17-34 overall record and
a 7-20 mark in the BIG EAST in 2006, Seton Hall’s
baseball team enjoyed some high points in the
off-season. In August, junior Dan Merklinger was
named to the Cape Cod All-League team. In addition,
Coach Rob Sheppard confirmed in September that
right-handed pitcher Sean Black will join the
Pirates next season.
The left-handed Merklinger led the Harwich
Mariners pitching staff with 47 strikeouts and
six earned runs over 44.2 innings — becoming the
only BIG EAST player to be named to the Cape Cod
All-League team.
In an impressive sophomore season at Seton
Hall, Merklinger led the Pirate pitching staff in
strikeouts (83) and wins (4). He was named a starter
on the All-NJCBA First Team as well as Seton Hall's
Male Co-Sophomore Athlete of the Year. He also
twice received honors as NJCBA and BIG EAST
Pitcher of the Week and ECAC Pitcher of the Week.
In addition, he was listed two times on the College
Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll.
Black kept his college eligibility by opting not
to sign with the Washington Nationals, who picked
him 59th overall in the Major League first-year player
draft. For three years, Black was a varsity squad
member at Lenape High School in Medford, N.J.
In addition, Black played for the Mount Laurel, N.J.,
Legion for four years; and he competed on the New
Jersey Super 17. He also was a member of the Tri-
State Arsenal AAU National Championship team.
I DAYNA S. JOHNSON
S E T O N H A L L M A G A Z I N E | F A L L 2 0 0 6
ABOVE: Dan Merklinger. FACING PAGE:
Bobby Gonzalez (far left); Kashif Pratt.
Photos courtesy of Athletic Communications
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