Emory University

Senior (2016):

Made 14 appearances on the mound as a senior including six starts…Went 4-1 with one save to go along with 39 strikeouts and a 3.61 ERA in 47.1 innings pitched…Earned his first career save, spinning 1.2 scoreless innings with one punch out against Southwestern on February 13^th…Twirled his second career shutout in his first start of the year against the University of Rochester at the UAA Championships on March 9^th, allowing just six hits and one walk while racking up a career-high eight strikeouts in the 5-0 victory…Collected his fourth win of the season, going seven strong innings in the NCAA South Regional Championship against ninth-ranked Shenandoah University on May 22^nd…He struck out three while allowing just two runs (1 ER) on four hits and four walks in the outing…Closed out his career with two scoreless innings and three Ks against UW-La Crosse at the College World Series on May 28^th.

Junior (2015):

Merolla posted a 3.77 ERA in seven appearances, making six starts. He held opponents to a career-low .252 average and struck out 17 batters in 31 innings on the bump. He picked up his lone win of the season, tossing a seven inning complete game in a 6-1 victory over Huntingdon on April 4^th. He allowed one run on five hits with three strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

Sophomore (2014):

Merolla appeared in nine games and made eight starts during his sophomore season, finishing the year with a 4-1 record and a 4.26 ERA.  He finished tied for the team lead with two complete games, held opponents to a .307 batting average, and struck out 22 batters and walked just 12 over 44.1 innings pitched.  Right-handed hitters batted just .287 (39-for-136) against Merolla, and he held opponents to a .235 average (12-for-51) with two outs in innings.  The right-handed pitcher saved some of his best pitching efforts during the season for tournament play.  During the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships, he pitched a seven-inning complete game shutout against the University of Rochester, holding the Yellowjackets scoreless on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven batters.  In the NCAA Regionals against Bridgewater, he earned a win in an elimination game after allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings.  In the World Series, he pitched a complete game against Southern Maine, scattering nine hits and allowing just three runs in another Emory win.  

Freshman (2013):

Merolla emerged as a mainstay in the Eagles’ starting rotation in 2013, going 5-2 to lead the Eagles in wins during his freshman campaign.  Merolla was named the University Athletic Association (UAA) Rookie of the Year, becoming the third-straight Eagle and fourth overall in the program’s history to win the award.  He made 11 appearances, 10 of which were in a starting role, recording a 3.41 ERA while striking out 29 and walking just 18 over 60.2 innings pitched.  The right-handed pitcher held opponents to a .286 batting average during the campaign, with left-handed hitters batting just .259 (21-for-81) against him.  In addition, he held base runners to a .385 stolen base percentage, the second-lowest mark by a pitcher in a season in Emory history.  He made his collegiate debut on February 19^th, coming out of the bullpen to pitch 4.2 scoreless innings against Washington and Lee, limiting the Generals to four hits.  Merolla claimed his first collegiate victory on February 24^th in the second game of a doubleheader against Bates.  At the UAA Tournament, he limited Rochester to two unearned runs over seven innings in a no decision, and pitched the only complete game of the season by an Eagle in a 9-4 win over Brandeis.  Merolla also earned wins with six scoreless innings against Georgia Gwinnett College, and eight innings of three-hit, one-run baseball against Methodist.

Career Statistics:

Click here for complete career statistics.

Honors:

Prior to Emory:

Played on the Wilton High School baseball team for four seasons, serving as the team captain during his senior season... Named to the All-FCIAC team in 2012... Coached by Tim Eagen in high school... Also played hockey.

Personal:

Born December 15th.

Why he chose Emory:

"I chose Emory for the great academic opportunity."