Valley natives power Mercyhurst to finals

Staff report

ERIE, PA.

Three Mahoning Valley natives have helped the Mercyhurst baseball team earn its first trip to the Division II National Finals, which begin today at the USA National Baseball Training Complex in Cary, N.C.

Mercyhurst (39-9), the Atlantic Region champions, will meet Truman State (35-20) today at 3 p.m.

Warren JFK High graduate Brendan Cox, a junior infielder, started 46 games this season, batting .359 (second-highest on the team) with 32 runs scored and 20 RBIs. Cox earned second team all-Pennsylvaniva State Athletic Association honors. It’s the third straight season he’s earned all-conference honors.

Boardman High graduate Dan Popio, a junior catcher, played in 30 games with 27 starts, batting .342 with 18 runs and 21 RBIs.

Girard High graduate Jimmy Standohar, a freshman infielder, appeared in nine games, getting two hits in six at-bats with three runs scored and an RBI.