Mercer’s baseball program has selected former assistant coach and Mercer native, Fred Carella, to serve as the team’s new head coach. This news followed the resignation of coach Kevin Kerins shortly after the culmination of the team’s impressive 2018 season.
For the third consecutive year, Mercer’s baseball team pulled off a championship win in the Region 19 tournament, sweeping rival Lackawanna in two games of tournament play. Stand-out offensive performances came from a host of players, including sophomore Jimmy Versage, who hit in both games to total 2 home runs and 7 RBIs, as well as freshman Dominic Boselli, who churned out impressive performances in both games with 1 home run and 2 RBIs.
Current Vikings head coach Fred Carella said “Our offense did a phenomenal job during last year’s region tournament. From the first pitch of the first game we were committed to grinding out at-bats and making the opposing pitcher work for every out.”
The Vikings played these games against standing regional rival Lackawanna, who they had faced off with in intense games at multiple points during the regular season. “[Lackawanna] is a very talented team that brings a ton of energy when they play. The games against them are always competitive and come down to one or two pitches deciding the game. This past year was no different. Fortunately for us, we were on the right side of the score at the end of the game,” Carella told The VOICE.
As the new head coach of Mercer baseball, Carella has a substantial amount of familiarity with the program. A native of Mercer County, Carella had served as an assistant coach to the team since 2003 prior to accepting his current position.
He has worked under four different head coaches, accompanied the team through playoff runs (including four which culminated in NJCAA World Series appearances), and coached multiple Mercer athletes who now play in the MLB.
Mercer Athletic Director John Simone said that he was “delighted” that Carella accepted the position and stated that there was “no question” that he was the right choice.
With the entirety of last year’s assistant coaching staff and a substantial amount of second year players returning this upcoming season, Carella has high expectations for his first year as head coach.
“I want to continue the tradition that has been built here at Mercer. We have a great reputation in the region and I will work to have that continue. We will continue to play fast and aggressive and put pressure on our opponents whenever we get the chance,” Carella said.
