Playing a new position, North Allegheny graduate Alex Mesaros looked forward to a fruitful junior season on the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy baseball team.

He was disappointed when it was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.

“At first, I didn’t know how to feel, it was so unprecedented,” said Mesaros, 21, of McCandless. “As time went on, I began to feel frustrated I missed an entire year of my baseball career.

“What hurt most was watching the seniors play their last game only nine games into the season.”

Mariners coach Michael Notebaert said Mesaros, who helped North Allegheny to second place in the 2017 WPIAL Class 6A tournament as a shortstop, was asked to move from the infield to the outfield to make the offense more potent. In nine games, he had a .269 batting average, drove in thee runs and scored five.

“Alex is an avid worker and the most unselfish player I have ever coached,” Notebaert said. “There was never a doubt he not only could, but would, make a seamless transition for the betterment of the lineup.

“Alex has been an RBI machine for us in his three years, driving in big runs on a regular basis. Whether it’s regular season play or playoff baseball, Alex always seems to be the one (who) rises up and gets the big hit.”

Mesaros finished among RBI leaders for the Mariners, a Division III team on Long Island in Kings Point, N.Y., in 2018 and 2019.

Mesaros, who is studying marine engineering systems and plans to join the Coast Guard or Navy after graduation, returned home after the team’s trip to Florida in March. Most of his workout plans were provided by a teammate, who is an aspiring Navy SEAL.

“They are extremely challenging, but that’s how we get better,” Mesaros said.

Notebaert expects the 6-foot, 185-pound Mesaros to be an everyday rightfielder next season. He was selected to be a team captain by his teammates.

“He’s a tremendous teammate, student and person,” Notebaert said. “It will be a true blessing to have him back for one more year.”

Mesaros hopes to lead the Mariners to the Skyline Conference title. They came close in 2018, losing in the championship game by one run in 11 innings.

“The secondary goal is to have fun,” Mesaros said. “At the end of the day, baseball is a game.

“It’s a great break from the grueling nature of the Regiment and academics at the USMMA. I hope to look back on my senior year and see a lot of wins and a lot of good times.”

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