Softball - Flamethrower Mertens Commits To Finger Lakes For 2013 Season
CANANDAIGUA, NY. -- Syracuse, NY native Rachel Mertens will be bringing her talents to Finger Lakes Community College next spring. The incoming freshman, rated as a highly talented pitcher, gives the Lady Lakers a bona fide top of the rotation starter for 2013. The crafty right hander, classified as a power pitcher, has the potential to be an impact player on and off of the field. Mertens not only brings with her to Finger Lakes an arsenal of tough pitches to hit, she also adds a solid bat to the Lady Lakers lineup. In addition, she brings with her a great deal of leadership to the squad.
On the mound, she instantly turns Finger Lakes into a viable contender. The tall soon to be graduate of Henniger High School (Syracuse) can control the tempo of a game thanks to the ability that she has to locate her strongest pitch -- the fastball. Mertens strength of being able to overpower opposing offenses (which she did at an effective rate in high school) could serve as a key to unlocking a door full of success for the future of the softball program at Finger Lakes. She has the ability to re-write the script of the program if she comes out and dominates the softball Region III (Division III) pitching world next season.
Mertens statistics on the mound at Henniger were mind boggling during her senior season. Named Section III AA Player of the Year in 2012, she posted a staggering 1.96 Earned Run Average combined with 147 strikeouts in 127 innings pitched. Despite these incredible jaw-dropping numbers, the statistical category that she controlled the best that deems to be of extreme importance was the walks column. Mertens allowed just 9 walks, yes 9 walks all season long in 2012. Her 147 K's and 9 BB posed for a 16:1 strikeout to walk ratio in her final year of high school. With numbers like these, it would be unfathomable to believe that she isn't anything but ready to make the transition to the college ranks.
As mentioned, Mertens also brings with her to Lady Laker land a reliable stick. In high school, she was labeled as a quality hitter on Henniger's softball team, one that possessed great plate discipline as well as the ability to hit at a high average at a consistent rate.
Combined with her pitching and hitting abilities, she has been described as a great teammate to be around as well a voice stress leader on and off of the diamond.
Mertens chose to play at Finger Lakes over the likes of Le Moyne College and Onondaga Community College. The latter college is where Mertens father played collegiate baseball. She looks forward to following his footsteps as a collegiate level athlete next spring.