Diplomats Rank #8 in April 25 ABCA/Collegiate Baseball Mid-Atlantic Region Top 10

by Sports Information
4/26/05

LANCASTER, PA – The Franklin & Marshall College Diplomats are tied for eighth in the April 25 American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Region Poll.

The ranking marks the first for the Diplomats since the team was ranked #9 in the poll on April 23, 2002. Further, it marks the team’s highest ranking since March 25, 2002 when the Diplomats were ranked eighth in the regional poll.

To date, Franklin & Marshall has recorded a 20-13 record as the Diplomats stand in first place in the Centennial Conference with a 13-3 record.

Leading the way for the Diplomats are outfielder Dan Hanecak (Jr., Conestoga, PA/Lancaster Catholic) and third baseman Gary Kruger (Jr., East Islip, NY/East Islip).

Hanecak leads the Diplomats with a .374 average (40-for-140) and 10 doubles while recording two triples, 18 runs batted in, and going six-for-six in stolen bases.

Kruger has a .369 average (38-for-103) with 34 runs scored, six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 24 RBI, a .504 on-base percentage and is 24-for-26 in stolen bases.

Historically, Kruger is 67-for-74 in career stolen bases as he ranks as the all-time leader in the category after surpassing Dale Amos ’89 (63).

On the mound, a cast of four leads the way as Ted Serro (Jr., Brooklyn, NY/Xavier), Jeremy Knox (Jr., Bronx, NY/Iona Prep), EJ Leary (Jr., Seymour, CT/Seymour) and Jeff Rowand (So., York, PA/Dallastown) each has three or more victories.

Serro has a 2.98 ERA with a 4-3 record and 54 strikeouts in 45.3 innings of work as opponents are hitting .200 against the right-hander. Knox has a 3.74 ERA and a 3-1 record with 40 strikeouts in 48 innings, while Leary has a 3.12 ERA and a 3-2 record with 40 strikeouts in 34.6 innings and Rowand has a 3.45 ERA with a 4-1 record.

#1 nationally ranked Rowan University leads the regional poll, while Kean University, The College of New Jersey, Johns Hopkins University, Alvernia College, DeSales University, Frostburg State University rank second through seventh with Messiah, Penn State University-Behrend and Franklin & Marshall tied for eighth.

Franklin & Marshall College (20-13, 13-3 Centennial Conference) will continue the season on April 26 at Elizabethtown College. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.