In his first season back with Augustana, pitching coach Mark Moriarty guided the Vikings’ pitching staff to another successful year, highlighted by D2CCA National Pitcher of the Year, Jacob Blank.
Blank broke the school record for the most wins in a single-season, finishing a perfect 10-0 on the year. The junior’s ERA of 0.78 is the second lowest ERA in school history. Opponents were hitting for just a .169 average off of blank, which is the second lowest batting average in Augustana history.
Blank led the Vikings with 86 strikeouts, sacrificed just 15 walks and allowed only six earned runs on the season.
Along with being the D2CCA National Pitcher of the Year, Blank earned several other awards, including being named the NCBWA National Pitcher of the Year, as well being named a D2CCA/Daktronics All-American.
Senior Collin Lovell had the second lowest ERA (1.77) on the team and earned eight saves on the year, which is the fourth most saves in a single-season in school history. Lovell appeared in 21 games on the season as a reliever, the fourth most appearances in a single-season and finished with a 2-1 record.
Dalton Allen also played a key role in the pitching staff, making 24 appearances out of the bull pen. The 24 appearances tied a single-season school record. The junior accounted for 5-2 record in 2017.
As a team, the Vikings recorded a 3.56 ERA, struck out 499 batters and allowed just 189 walks on the season.
Mark Moriarty returned to Augustana in 2016-17 after spending the last three season as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Concordia University Wisconsin.
Moriarty helped CUW earn 71 wins over the last three season, including a program best 25 in 2015. He has seen two freshman on his staff earn All-NACC Freshman of the Year honors and helped several pitchers rank well nationally in statistical categories.
He also served as the pitching coach of the Lakeshore Chinooks, a Northwood's League Summer. In 2014 Moriarty was named Northwoods League Coach of the Year for his strong efforts leading teh Chinooks pitching staff. For the second straight season under his tutelage the Chinooks led thel league in ERA, posting a 2.92 mark. Moriarty's staff played a big role in helping the team capture the Northwoods League Championship in 2014.
Moriarty spent four seasons at Augustana University (2008-2012) where he worked with MLB Draft Pick and NSIC Pitcher of the Year Derek Hansen. The first pitcher he coached to sign a pro contract was former standout closer Bret Severtson, who signed with the Lake County Fielders of the North American League before joining the St. Paul Saints.
During his first stint with Augustana, the pitching staffs ERA improved by 4.03 runs. In his final season they posted a 3.37 ERA which ranked 22nd in the nation. Moriarty coached five all-conference players and one all-region player.
With Moriarty on staff, the Vikings set a school record with 34 wins in 2010 and made their first-ever appearance in NCAA Tournament play in 2011. In his first year on staff in 2010, the pitching staff improved their team earned run average by 1.44 points. His pitching staff was a key recipe of the team's success which culminated by being named South Dakota Sports Writers Association College Men's Team of the Year.
Moriarty played professionally in 2009, pitching for the St. Paul Saints of American Association of Independent Professional baseball. He finished the year with a 2-5 record and 47 strikeouts.
He also played two seasons for the Madison Mallards of the Northwood's League, helping the team to capture the league championship in 2004. Moriarty was one of the few Division III athletes competing in a league comprised of mostly Division I players.
Moriarty played his college ball at the College of St. Scholastica where he finished his career with the third most wins in school history (23) and a 2.80 ERA. His 257 strikeouts were second-most in school history. He was an All-Upper Midwest (UMAC) Conference performer three times in his career and a 2006 All-American. The 2006 UMAC Pitcher of the Year was named National Pitcher of the Week once and holds the CSS school record for strikeouts in a game (16). He was a two-time All-Region selection.
In 2011, Moriarty was inducted into the CSS Baseball Hall of Fame. He earned a degree in business management from CSS in 2007. He received his Master's Degree in Sports Management from Augustana.
