DUE WEST, SC - Dan Massarelli has been named head baseball coach at Erskine College, after serving a year as interim head coach, athletic director Chip Sherer has announced.

The two-year assistant for the Fleet took over as interim coach last year after the unexpected resignation of Bob O'Hoppe in May just after finishing the season. Massarelli led the 1997 team to an improved record of 13-26 including a seventh place finish in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference. The Fleet had been picked to finish last among the conferenceÕs 10 teams.

"We have been very pleased with the work of Coach Massarelli this season," said Sherer. "The team has been very competitive within the conference and also has had success in the classroom. Dan has provided positive leadership and we have high hopes for our baseball program"

Massarelli was instrumental in bringing three top recruits to Erskine from his home area of Ohio, including starters Chris Darnell from Massillon, and John Fether and Joe Whitmer from Canton.