May 16, 2007

ERIE, Pa. - Mercyhurst College's David Lough was one of only two unanimous selections to the 2007 Daktronics All-North Central Region first team. The outfielder was joined on the all-region team by pitcher Brian Espersen, who gained selection to the second team.

Lough turned in a stellar junior year as he and Grand Valley pitcher Nick Beach were the lone unanimous first team selections.

He tied school season hit mark with 74 and led the team in 12 offensive categories: batting average (.404), slugging percentage (.789), on base percentage (.477), runs (52), hits (74), RBIs (49), doubles (16), triples (6), home runs (8), extra base hits (34), total bases (126), stolen bases (23). He finished sixth in the GLIAC in batting, third in slugging percentage, sixth in on base percentage, fourth in runs scored, tied for second in hits, fourth in RBIs, tied second in doubles, first in triples, fifth in home runs, second in total bases, tied for fourth in hit by pitch, tied for second in stolen bases. He also posted a 16-game hitting streak. He started all 52 games in centerfield, posted a team-high 20 multi-hit games: 11 two-hit games, six three-hit games, two four-hit games and a five-hit game. Lough also had 14 multi-RBI games, including two with four RBIs. He scored five runs in a win over Gannon on April 9, and notched five hits on March 11 in a win at Salem International. In leadoff situations, the junior reached base 13 times in 20 opportunities for a team-high .650 percentage and had a team-leading .612 success rate advancing runners. Lough also was third on the team in walks (19), second in HBP (8), tied for third in sac bunts (6). Lough finished just two doubles and two triples shy of school season records in those categories.

Espersen made the second team after a strong junior season in which he led the team in innings pitched (60.0) and strikeouts (69). He also tied for the team lead with five wins and 10 starts. Espersen was second in the GLIAC in K/9 (10.35), ninth in ERA (3.15), fifth in opposing batting average (.230), fifth in strikeouts, tied for seventh in strikeouts looking, fourth in fewest hits allowed. His 20 batters struck out looking were a team-best. The righty tossed a complete game in his first start of the year, going nine innings with eight Ks and just five hits allowed - no walks - against Wheeling Jesuit. Espersen struck out 15 in a complete game win in his next start against Lewis, and allowed just five hits and no walks. He threw six shutout innings at Wayne State, fanning eight and allowing just three hits and three walks.

Ashland's Casey Jirsa was named the region's hitter of the year, while Nick Beach of Grand Valley State was tabbed as the pitcher of the year.

All 15 first-team selections will now be placed on the national ballot for All-America consideration. The All-America teams are scheduled to be released Thursday, May 24.

Mercyhurst finished the 2007 season with a 32-18 record and a 17-11 mark in the GLIAC.

First Team
C - Scott Hauber, Quincy, Jr.
1B - Jon Weisman, Wayne State, Sr.
2B - Spud McKenzie, Grand Valley State, Sr.
SS - Cory Bunner, SIU-Edwardsville, Jr.
3B - Casey Jirsa, Ashland, Sr.
*OF - David Lough, Mercyhurst, Jr.
OF - Tony Hines, Wayne State, Jr.
OF - Hunter Slade, Southern Indiana, Sr.
DH - Brian Sampsel, Findlay, So.
UT - Brandon Cogan, Missouri-Rolla, Fr.
*SP - Nick Beach, Grand Valley State, Jr.
SP - Michael Thompson, Bellarmine, So.
SP - Matt Marksbury, Northern Kentucky, Sr.
SP - Danny Richard, Grand Valley State, Fr.
RP - Joe Panozzo, St. Joseph's (Ind.), Sr.

* Unanimous first-team selections

Second Team
C - Nick Smith, Grand Valley State, Sr.
C - Eric Zattlin, Ashland, Sr.
1B - Tony Lewis, Drury, Sr.
2B - Darin Mastroianni, Southern Indiana, Jr.
SS - Dan Skirka, Grand Valley State, Sr.
3B - Lee VanStreain, Grand Valley State, Sr.
OF - Matt Wille, St. Joseph's (Ind.), Jr.
OF - Andy Heller, Wisconsin-Parkside, Jr.
OF - Ryan LaPensee, Wayne State, Fr.
DH - Justin Richards, Ashland, Sr.
SP - Gerad Bryan, SIU-Edwardsville, Jr.
SP - Scott Roy, Saginaw Valley State, Jr.
SP - Brian Espersen, Mercyhurst, Jr.
SP - Mike White, SIU-Edwardsville, Sr.
RP - Frank Allen, Rockhurst, So.