UMass Lowell Athletics

AS A FRESHMAN (2024): Made 18 appearances with 13 starts…Hit .286 in 56 at bats…Totaled 16 hits, eight runs, three doubles, two homers and 12 RBI…Drew three walks and had one stolen base…Recorded 26 putouts with no errors for a 1.000 fielding percentage…Made his collegiate debut at Kansas State (3.2)…Tallied career-high three hits against UMBC (4/27) and six RBI and two home runs at Merrimack (4/16).

HIGH SCHOOL: Played baseball and basketball at Goffstown HS…Named First Team All-State junior and senior year and served as baseball team captain senior year…Named to Third Team All-State sophomore year…Served as team captain for the basketball team junior and senior year…Named All-State Defense Team for basketball junior and senior year…Graduated in the top 20 students in his class.
 
PERSONAL: Son of Michelle Merchant and Erik Strand…Has seven siblings, Ethan, Peyton, Nick, Austin, Ally, Liam and Ryan…Father Erik played basketball at UMass Lowell…Enjoys going to the gym…Names Last Chance U as his favorite TV show…Lists the Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots as his favorite sports teams…Names Kobe Bryant, Mookie Betts and Steph Curry as his favorite sports figures…Business administration major.