Freshman Joe Yermal led UNC-Charlotee with eight wins in 2008 and earned several post-season honors.
Joe Yermal, who was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles shortly after his graduation from
McDonogh in the spring of 2007, but elected to play college baseball, just completed a sensational freshman season at UNC-Charlotte, where he helped lead his club to its second consecutive Atlantic 10 conference title.
Yermal led the A-10 in wins, as he posted an 8-2 mark on the mound. He was named 2nd-Team All A-10 and earned a place on the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Team, as well as the Ping Baseball All-Rookie Team.
Early season injuries on the Charlotte staff thrust Yermal into the #1 spot in the 49er rotation and he held onto the position throughout the year, becoming the first freshman in school history to make the opening start in the NCAA Regionals. He made 16 appearances in 2008, including 14 starts, and pitched to a 4.39 ERA over 84 innings. In addition, his strike outs to walks ratio was 44:20 and he held opposing hitters to a batting average of just .268.
During his senior year at McDonogh, Yermal posted a 2.04 ERA. In addition, he hit .436 and belted six home runs. He was an All-MIAA selection as both a junior and senior, and as a senior was named Maryland State Player of the Year by both Gatorade and Louisville Slugger.