Southeast Missouri State University Athletics

2025: Made 15 total appearances including 13 starts for the Redhawks in 2025…Pitched a total of 79.0 innings, including a season-high 7.2 against Lindenwood (4/17)…Led all of DI Baseball in walks allowed per nine innings, allowing just 0.92 BB/9…He struck out 67 opposing hitters, and led the OVC in strikeout-to-walk ratio while ranking third in the country with a 8.25 K/BB mark…He allowed just eight walks on the season and only recorded more than one walk, one time…He led the OVC in wins (7) and ranked 63^rd nationally in the same category…He was a three-time OVC ‘Pitcher of the Week’ selection. 

East Los Angeles College: Played two seasons at East Los Angeles College for head coach Alec Adame…Led his conference in strikeouts and fewest walks/hit-by-pitch in the league…During his sophomore season, recorded 113 strikeouts over 90 innings pitched while surrendering just 17 walks…
 
Prep: Attended La Canada High School in La Canada, California… Started and lettered all four years on the mound for head coach Matt Whisenant…During his senior season, Mertens was a top two pitcher and led his team to the first D3 Finals in school history.
 
Personal: The son of Glen and Imma Mertens…Born on July 3, 2003…Intends to major in psychology or social science at Southeast.