Merrimack shortstop Nick Shumski becoming more complete player

Merrimack shortstop Nick Shumski led the NEC with a .443 average and 12 RBI. (William Powell/Merrimack Athletics)

While “offense wins games, defense wins championships” is often used across a variety of sports, it has rung particularly true during Nick Shumski’s career as the shortstop at Merrimack College.

The Salem, N.H., native has patrolled the left side of the infield alongside classmate Joey Porricelli (Monroe, Conn.) in all but one game over the past three seasons, helping the Warriors capture the Northeast-10 Conference championship in 2018 and make another title game appearance last spring before the team’s move to Division 1 this year.

Shumski, like Porricelli, is a team leader and key offensive contributor, but he knew how important playing defense would be as his team transitioned to playing at the sport’s highest collegiate level for the first time.

“I knew balls were going to be hit harder, especially now that we were playing with metal bats,” said Shumski, who took home ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove honors for the shortstop position after committing just seven errors in 238 total chances and turning 30 double plays last season.