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 and the warm weather."