Jack Rothenhausler has played more games than anyone in East Stroudsburg University baseball history. He’s driven in runs more consistently than any Warrior in coach John Kochmansky’s 18-year run with the program.

Rothenhausler wants to end this week achieving one of the few milestones that has evaded him at ESU — winning a PSAC tournament title.

“Coming out of ESU with a bang would be great,” said Rothenhausler, a Liberty High School graduate. “It’s a hard game, but anything can happen. I hope we just win it all. We’ve got young guys below us, so hopefully they get to experience that.”

Rothenhausler and the Warriors claimed the East No. 2 seed for the PSAC tournament. They will face West No. 3 Indiana University (Pa.) in Wednesday’s tournament opener at Millersville.

Wednesday’s four games are elimination contests. The four winners advance to the double-elimination part of the tournament, which lasts until Saturday.

ESU has finished second in the PSAC tournament twice in the last three years (2022 and 2024). The Warriors won their lone PSAC title in 2013.

“I feel very positive about the way we’ve played,” Kochmansky said. “If you look at our whole body of work, we’re 35-13 heading into it. Sure, we stubbed our toe this weekend [a four-game sweep at East champion Millersville], but there were some reasons for it.

“Overall, we’ve been really consistent throughout the year. We’re fielding .980 on defense. Our pitching staff was a little bit tired going into last weekend, and now we feel we’ve gotten the rest that we need.”

Rothenhausler exemplifies ESU’s consistency. The senior has started every game this season, combining on-base percentage (.450) with slugging (.646, 18 doubles, 10 home runs) for one of the PSAC’s top offenses. The Warriors rank second in the PSAC in runs (343).

Rothenhausler already owns ESU career records with 25 home runs, 65 doubles, 93 extra-base hits, 371 total bases, 350 times reached base, 45 hit by pitch and 188 RBIs. He is second in career hits (225), four behind Brock Kauffman for the top spot.

“His RBI capability throughout his four years has been amazing,” Kochmansky said. “Throughout my 20-year career, he’s been the most consistent RBI guy that we’ve had in our program.”

Rothenhausler is one of several local players who have produced standout seasons in ESU’s lineup. Dennis Pierce (Quakertown) leads the Warriors with a .369 average and 15 home runs. Parker Frey (Liberty) is hitting .354 with 19 extra-base hits while starting every game.

As potent as ESU’s offense is, it will need pitching depth to win the PSAC tournament. The Warriors have several pitchers who they hope to have at full strength after some down time.

ESU will also have to handle an early start time to advance to the double-elimination portion of the tournament. The Warriors are scheduled for a 9:30 a.m. first pitch Wednesday.

“Just the adrenaline, I think everyone’s ready to go no matter what time it is,” Rothenhausler said.

“We’re ready to get down there and start winning,” he added. “The guys are all pumped up, and I think we’re going to play well down there.”

Emerging arm: Emmaus grad Luke Deschenes has emerged as a key contributor for Seton Hill, which won the PSAC West title by sweeping a Friday doubleheader against Slippery Rock.

A redshirt sophomore, Deschenes has mostly served as a multi-inning reliever for a pitching staff that owns a PSAC-best 2.80 ERA. He enters the postseason with a 3.46 ERA in 11 games (two starts). His 39 innings rank third on the Griffins (35-13 overall), behind the 1-2 punch of Jon McCullough (66 2/3 innings, 1.89 ERA) and Ian Korn (63 1/3 innings, 1.42 ERA).

Deschenes and Seton Hill open the PSAC tournament Wednesday against Shippensburg, the East No. 4 seed.

Butler did it:  Justin Butler (Quakertown) helped Lehigh clinch the fourth and final spot in the Patriot League tournament with a four-hit, seven-RBI game in a 10-4 win over Holy Cross. The Mountain Hawks (23-24 overall, 11-14 Patriot League) will face No. 1 Holy Cross in a best-of-3 Patriot League semifinal series Saturday and Sunday.