Baranchak enjoying ride
ERIE — Baseball just keeps getting better for Luke Baranchak.
The 2015 Butler graduate had to take a medical red-shirt his second year at Mercyhurst North East due to surgery for a torn hip labrum He bounced back to lead the Saints in numerous offensive categories in 2018.
That earned him a chance to play for Mercyhurst University this spring, helping the Lakers reach the NCAA Division II College World Series semifinals.
“Having hip surgery at 19 ... That was tough to bounce back from,” Baranchak said. “But I love playing this game. That's what drove me to come back.”
“Luke was a big addition for us,” Lakers coach Joe Spano said. “He got a number of clutch hits all season, especially in the playoffs.”
Baranchak hit .259 this year with three homers and 14 RBI. He stole four bases, hit three doubles and four triples in 28 games.
He began this season as a utility player, but started in right field for the second half of the campaign and on through the postseason.
“I've played second base, shortstop or third pretty much all my life,” Baranchak said. “It took me a while to get comfortable in the outfield.
“I realized I can use my speed a lot more out there. I adjusted to it after a while.”
Spano liked the options Baranchak gave him as a player..
“He's a versatile guy,” Spano said. “Infield, outfield ... We can play him almost anywhere. We liked him in the outfield because he's got a great throwing arm.”
Spano added that Baranchak has “great power and can hit the ball the other way.”
Baranchak has one year of eligibility remaining and figures to be a regular starter next season.
“We may take advantage of his versatility again,” Spano admitted. “Luke can play three infield positions and all three outfield spots.
“But with his speed, we've talked about starting him in center field. We'll leave the final decision open and see how things go in fall ball.”
Baranchak is one of only three returning starting positions for the Lakers next year. Mercyhurst is graduating all four of its starting pitchers as well.
Mercyhurst finished 36-16 this season, its 15th consecutive winning campaign. The team reached the D-II Final Four despite being bounced from the PSAC Tournament by consecutive losses.
“Going two-and-out in the conference tournament certainly wasn't what we wanted,” Baranchak said. “Getting that at-large bid to the national tournament was like getting new life, a second chance.
“We came together and played our best ball from that point.”
Baranchak led North East in five offensive categories in 2018, hitting .365 with 50 hits, 40 RBI, a .491 on-base percentage and .620 slugging percentage.
He played summer baseball in Florida and continued to play well. Baranchak considered going to Campbell or Miami (Fla.) and was also looked at by a number of Division II schools.
“Mercyhurst has one of the top Division II programs in the country and a lot of our (North East) players wind up sliding over to there,” he said. “I decided to do the same.
“Getting to the Final Four this year raised the bar. Our goal is to do everything we can to experience that again. I'd like to become one of the top offensive players in the PSAC.
“I'm just going to enjoy the ride and do the best I can,” he added.
Baranchak is majoring in hospitality management.
