West Windsor, N.J. -Kevin Kerins, of Trenton, has been named head coach for baseball at Mercer County Community College, according to Athletics Director John Simone. Kerins served as interim head coach during the 2012 season, when the Vikings earned a 29-15 record and advanced to the Region XIX championship game, where they lost 4-3 against Lackawanna College.

Simone notes that Kerins is a natural choice for the head coach position, having served as assistant coach under Matt Wolski since 2005. In addition, Kerins attended MCCC in 2000, playing for the Vikings when they advanced to the Division II Junior College World Series.

Prior to coming to Mercer, Kerins played baseball at Steinert High School from 1995-98. He was team captain when the Spartans won the Group IV NJ State Baseball Championship in his senior year. They were the Group III state champs in 1996.

"Kevin's connection to MCCC and Mercer County is very strong. His background as a coach, a player and a mentor makes him the absolute best choice for this post. The college is very pleased to add him to our head coach staff," Simone said.

Following his year as a player at Mercer, Kerins played three seasons at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), where he earned his bachelor's degree in Technology Education. He earned his master's degree in Technology Education from Ball State University in 2007. He has been a teacher at Edison High School since 2003, and was twice nominated "Teacher of the Year."

Kerins is a member of the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association. His additional coaching experience includes serving as an assistant at Edison High School and Hamilton West High School. He has coached for youth camps at Coastal Carolina University, Rider University and MCCC.
Kerins is pleased with his team's efforts during the 2012 season, but notes the ending was bittersweet. "Getting so close to the region title and then not winning it was tough. We had a lot of talent on this team. They were a great group of guys." He notes that at last count seven players from this season are expected to transfer to four-year schools. "Multiple players have earned multiple scholarships," he said.

He also commended his players for helping him move smoothly into his interim coach post in January. "The season really starts in the fall. They did a great job with the transition."

Mercer is a comfortable place for Kerins, who "played here, worked here, cut grass here. I appreciate it even more as an alum. I am the perfect example of what a community college can do. I wasn't ready to go to TCNJ right out of high school. After a year at Mercer, I was ready. I tell my players, 'I want my story to be your story when you leave here.'"

After strong recruiting efforts this spring, Kerins is looking forward to next season with great enthusiasm. "We focused on the depth of talent in Mercer County and also recruited some very strong players from other parts of the state." He predicts that pitching will be the strength and core of next year's squad. See the list of incoming freshmen here.

More information about the MCCC baseball program is available here.