For those who are familiar with the sport of baseball, the ace of a rotation is known to be the best starting pitcher on the team. The ace is the player the team relies on when they need a win. A competitor that exemplifies finding a way to succeed no matter what. 

For Waynesburg University pitcher Ethan Erhard, it took him no longer than a few months on the campus to earn that title among teammates. So much so that it has even become his nickname by his peers.

The 6’0 ft, right-handed pitcher grew up in Greensburg, PA and graduated from Hempfield High School in 2022. At Hempfield, he was a multi-sport athlete, as a standout on the basketball court, football field and especially, on the mound, as he was a three-time letter winner on the baseball team. 

“Hempfield baseball helped me not get in the way of getting the game experience, but I feel like seeing all of my teammates go to big Division I and Division II schools, it pushed me to be the player I always wanted to be,” Erhard said.

One of those players that pushed Erhard is his lifelong friend, Mike McCready. McCready, a 2023 Hempfield graduate, decided to follow the same path as his friend and chose to continue his playing career at Waynesburg. McCready had high praise for his high school, now college teammate in Erhard.

“We have had a lot of memories. We have played on the same travel team since we were eight, so we have always been on the same team. He has always been a huge leader,” McCready said. “He has always been a great player and just a guy that will go after it and do whatever it takes to help the team.”

 McCready, a fellow pitcher, led Waynesburg in relief appearances last season. Along with McCready, sophomore first baseman, Trent Giraffa spoke highly of theErhard. 

“From a hitting standpoint, every time Ethan steps on the mound you know he is going to give you a great performance,” Giraffa said.“As a hitter, that helps you out because there is not too much pressure on you. Ethan’s just a great leader and helps us all out.”

Reflecting back on Erhard’s decision to play at Waynesburg, the former Hempfield star gave credit to the environment he came from, with Erhard noting that he is proud to say he was driven for success by former coaches, as well as his mom, Angela.

“My mom and all my coaches have been huge role models for me to push me to come play college baseball. I never thought I was good enough to even play Division III baseball, but my mom pushed me to apply places,” Erhard said. “Being brought up just by my mom pushed me even more to become the person I am today.”

Erhard arrived at Waynesburg prior to the 2023 season. That year, he made the varsity roster and toed the rubber for some of Waynesburg’s biggest games. Erhard finished his first season leading his team in wins (4), tied for the team lead in strikeouts (39) and second on the team in innings pitched (67.2). 

Erhard looked back on how he got to Waynesburg and what his mindset was coming in.

“It all took a turn when I started getting coaches asking me to come and tour,” Erhard said. “Waynesburg just had that feel that I would be the next player to help turn this program around.”

Erhard’s rookie season ended for the Yellow Jackets with an overall team record of 14-24 and a conference record of 9-11. Waynesburg finished seventh in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference that year, narrowly missing the PAC playoffs. 

Just one year later, the baseball team made the playoffs, while alsohey improving by nine wins overall and by six wins in the conference; finishing 2024 with a 23-19 overall record and 15-5 record in the PAC.

Waynesburg, the third seed, was unfortunately eliminated in the double elimination PAC tournament in the first two games. The team lost to Allegheny in round one 4-2. In round two, Erhard got the start against Washington & Jefferson. 

Despite only giving up one run on a first pitch leadoff homer to Presidents infielder Jacob LaDuca, Erhard held them scoreless for the next four innings. Waynesburg had a 3-1 lead going into the sixth. 

Erhard went back out to the mound for the top of the sixth, and that inning did not end as planned. Rain started to pour, and he surrendered four runs in that half of the inning. Erhard was credited with the loss, with the final score being 10-3. 

After coming up just short following one of the team’s best seasons in recent history, Erhard has high expectations for his junior year.

“I feel like we can be a 30-win team in all honesty,” Erhard said. “Our pitching and hitting has looked better than ever, and we have worked harder than we ever had before.” 

The goals for Erhard stretch even farther than 30 wins. 

“We just have to get over that step of winning a PAC championship, and we can do that too,” Erhard said. “Our team is so excited for the season, and we know we are going to make it a far way with the people we have.”

In anticipation for the season, Erhard has stayed ready this offseason by playing summer baseball with the Carmichaels Copperheads, a summer baseball team in the area. 

Opening day for the Waynesburg University Yellow Jacket’s 2025 season is currently set for Saturday Feb. 22, against La Roche.