FRESHMEN OF INFLUENCE

McDonogh School grad Joe Yermal has made an immediate impact in his freshman campaign at Charlotte University. Yermal is undefeated in seven decisions on mound, gaining a no-decision in his last start Friday against Duquesne.

The six-foot, six inch righthander has a 2.73 earned-run average and 35 strikeouts in 66 innings for the 49ers, who lead the Atlantic 10 Conference. Yermal leads the conference in wins (four) and ranks in the top five in ERA (2.65; fifth), innings pitched (37.1; fourth) and opposing batters' average (.223).

As a senior at McDonogh last spring, Yermal batted .434 with six home runs, earning Gatorade state player of the year honors. The Baltimore Orioles drafted him in the 39th round in last spring's Major League amateur draft.