The Frostburg State baseball program is making waves, with eight players earning All-Mountain East Conference (MEC) honors this week. This recognition highlights a season of standout performances and sets the stage for an exciting postseason run.
Freshman sensation Drew Jourdan and juniors Jackson Schalick and John Smith headline the list as First Team selections. Schalick, an offensive powerhouse, led the Bobcats in nearly every key category: batting average (.370), hits (61), runs (52), doubles (18), stolen bases (20), and walks (27), while ranking second in RBIs (51). Jourdan, a versatile freshman, played in all 50 games, batting .290 with 40 runs and 25 RBIs. On the mound, Smith anchored the pitching staff with a team-best 3.06 ERA, 61.2 innings pitched, and seven wins, striking out 52 batters.
Second Team honors went to freshman Tanner Cunningham, sophomore Zach Dodson, and junior Joey Serafin. Cunningham finished second on the team in batting average (.336), scoring 40 runs and driving in 24, while swiping 15 bases. Dodson, despite an injury limiting him to just nine starts, posted a stellar 2.74 ERA over 46 innings with 48 strikeouts. Serafin emerged as the go-to reliever, tossing 33.1 frames with a 2.97 ERA and seven saves.
Sophomore Hunter Layhew and freshman Bryce Bauer earned honorable mentions. Layhew led the Bobcats in starts (13) and strikeouts (57) across 58.1 innings (4.17 ERA), while Bauer impressed with a 2.60 ERA over 34.2 innings in 10 appearances, including five starts.
The Bobcats enter the MEC tournament as the No. 2 seed in the North Division, facing Charleston on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. — a testament to their depth and resilience this season.
In other conference news, Hampshire graduate and Garrett College transfer Grant Landis also earned an honorable mention nod. The Glenville State pitcher threw 59 innings with a 3.51 ERA and 42 strikeouts. Landis began his college career as a catcher at Garrett, hitting .326 with 14 RBIs and 18 stolen bases, and was an All-Area honorable mention in 2021 for the Trojans. His transition to the mound has been a story of adaptability and growth, showcasing the talent emerging from the region's baseball pipeline.