WEST WINDSOR – While the Vikings baseball team is off to a robust start in their quest for a national championship, it all started in February at the team’s First Pitch Dinner, with words from a former major leaguer with deep roots at Mercer County Community College.

"Having played for Dave Gallagher in 2000, I could not think of a better person to come and share stories and imperative life lessons derived from baseball," said Kevin Kerins, head coach for the MCCC baseball team.

Gallagher was a natural choice for the Vikings baseball team annual First Pitch Dinner, as he certainly knows baseball – and knows Mercer. After playing two years for MCCC, he was a first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Indians in 1980, the third overall selection. He made his Major League debut in 1987 as an outfielder for Cleveland, was a Topps Rookie All-Star in 1988, and would go on to play for six other teams, concluding has career in 1995 as a member of the Phillies.

Since retirement, Gallagher has served as hitting instructor for the Trenton Thunder, as baseball coach at Notre Dame High School, and a broadcaster for the Phillies. In 2000, he coached the MCCC team to the Division II NJCAA World Series.

“This is our second annual First Pitch Dinner,” Kerins said. “With the hard work and commitment we expect of our players, it’s rewarding to sit down with individuals who have been instrumental in the past, present, and future of our program.

“We have several players gaining interest from Major League teams, and it’s common for MLB scouts to be at most games. For our players to hear from former players such as Dave – who was a first-round draft pick – and to be able to learn from his experiences and advice, is very important.”

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