By Travis Cox

Senior right hander, Cameron Knott has decided to continue his playing career at Mercyhurst.  The potential two way player discusses his recent commitment.  Read more…


PBR: Why did you choose Mercyhurst?
Knott: I choose Mercyhurst University because I felt it was the right fit for me academically and the baseball program has a past history of being recognized for its history of baseball success with outstanding coaching leading the way.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Knott: Ashland University, Marietta, Seaton Hill, Heidelberg University, Lake Erie

PBR: After a successful Junior season, what were your expectations about recruiting heading into the summer?
Knott: Find a program where I felt comfortable with, where I would have the ability to play and contribute as a ballplayer. I also was looking for a baseball program having a strong history of baseball success while playing a high level of competition. 

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus at Mercyhurst? Knott: The coaches expect me to step right in my freshman year on the mound and contribute right away getting plenty of innings, when I am not on the mound they expect me to also play at second base being a multi position player.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that you will help as a Laker?
Knott:  I believe my mental toughness is my biggest strength and my ability to pound the strike zone. I never get rattled in the big games and always give my team a chance to win in the big games.

PBR: What areas are you focusing on?
Knott:  As a pitcher we have put together a good off season workout program, I am working on getting stronger especially my middle core, a lot of long tossing and most of all refining all my  pitching mechanics. As far as my defensive fielding I will continue taking a lot of ground balls, working on my defensive mechanics & footwork while putting in as much time with my batting mechanics. 

PBR: What team do you play for in the summer and what was the most memorable experience from this summer?
Knott:  I played for Team Ohio........Most Memorable experience was I was picked to pitch the opening game at the 18U Connie Mack Regional's against the Cincinnati Flames and pitched a 3 to 0 shutout.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?
Knott:  First I would have to say my father who basically devoted his life to making me the best player that I can be, he made many sacrifices in his life for me.  Second I would say all the coaches that have taught me me along the way: Coach Eden, Coach Kelly, All the coaches at OTN performance & especially Coach Andy, Coach Devine, Jason Stanford, Coach Pastor, Coach Kajanich, Coach Schally, Dr.Shaedler and my high school coaches Coach Krieger & Coach Foltz, especially my high school Head coach.....Coach Norris who has done a lot of work in making me the player I am today and also helping me along the way in the recruiting process.  Master Lewis's - Te Kwon Do martial arts school, where I participated for the 13 years, where I developed my mental toughness, discipline and work ethics.

PBR: What were your stats for this spring season at Willoughby South?
Knott:      My pitching stats record was 8 - 2, 64.2 innings pitched,  0.96 ERA, 1.02 whip, 12 walks, 9 ER, 80 Strikeouts 

PBR: Who is the toughest hitter that you have faced in Ohio?
Knott:      I faced a lot of good batters in Ohio this last year, but I feel the best batters that I had the ability to see and play with who I thought where the best batters where Aaron Lindgren from my high school team Willoughby South and Gian Carlo from the summer Team Ohio.