Despite a challenging regular season marked by a 14-24 overall record and a 7-11 conference performance, Gwynedd Mercy University has clinched the No. 4 seed in the upcoming Atlantic East Conference (AEC) baseball tournament. Their first-round opponent will be top-seeded Marymount, with the game scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m. 

This postseason berth is particularly noteworthy as it marks Gwynedd Mercy's inaugural appearance in the AEC playoffs under the guidance of second-year head coach Joe Brooks. 

Looking back at their matchups, Marymount showed dominance in mid-April, sweeping Gwynedd Mercy in a doubleheader with scores of 4-1 and 7-2. The series concluded with a convincing 15-5 victory for Marymount. 

Notable performances from Gwynedd Mercy players in these games included Mike Storti's RBI in the first game and contributions from Drew Haines and Nick Price in the second game. 

Sam Junker has been a standout in the lineup, leading the team with an impressive .386 batting average and contributing significantly with 26 RBIs. He's been a consistent presence with eight extra-base hits, 17 walks, and seven hit-by-pitches, showcasing a well-rounded offensive game with a .480 on-base percentage (OBP) and a .465 slugging percentage (SLG). 

On the pitching front, Frank Ebling has been a reliable force. He boasts a commendable 6-3 record with a stellar 2.21 ERA over 69 1/3 innings pitched. Ebling's control on the mound is evident with just 12 walks issued while tallying 51 strikeouts, highlighting his effectiveness in keeping opposing batters in check.

The loser of the Gwynedd Mercy vs. Marymount game will be pushed into an elimination match on Friday against the loser of the Immaculata and Cabrini matchup.