Saint Joe’s pitcher Justin Aungst, a 2014 graduate of Salisbury High School, spent his first two college seasons on the mound in a variety of roles. While he earned four starts as a freshman, Aungst largely made his appearances out of the bullpen in his first two seasons.

But Aungst became one of the Hawks’ regular starters in 2017, and the former Falcon has thrived in that role. In this his final college season, he’s hoping to build on that momentum even more and put a stamp on an impressive career.

“My role has changed over the first three years, so I know what to expect with whatever situations I find myself in,” Aungst said. “Starting games last year on a regular basis has gotten me comfortable with being a starter at this level.

“I feel really good when it comes to health. I had a good offseason and feel as strong as I have felt in a long time.”

Aungst, who led the Atlantic 10 with a 1.60 ERA in his freshman season and earned a nod on the All-Rookie Team, started eight games last spring. More impressively was the way he ended 2017. Aungst pitched at least five innings in each of his final six starts.

He still has the ability to come in and pitch an inning or two in relief when needed, but Aungst is now one of the Hawks’ top three options as a starter. His role is no longer undefined.

“My goals are obviously to make the postseason, but also to lead the young guys,” Aungst said. “We have an extremely young roster. Personally, I want to go out each weekend and compete and put the team in the best position to win.”

The Hawks have gotten off to a slow start this season with two long road trips. Saint Joe’s first trip to Oregon saw the Hawks drop three of four against Portland in late February. Saint Joe’s then won their opening game of the Keith LeClair Classic, a 6-3 victory over Missouri State, before dropping their next two matchups last weekend.

Aungst started two of the Hawks’ first seven games, posting a 4.22 ERA and nine strikeouts in 10.2 total innings. His five earned runs are the fewest of any Hawks starter this season.

“Trips across country are always challenging, but when you put tough weather into play it makes it tough,” Aungst said. “That being said, both teams have to play through it. Outcomes of the games so far aren’t what we were hoping for, but we have to take notice of the positives and learn from the mistakes we are making early on in the season.”

Aungst, despite posting an 0-2 mark, was able to keep opposing batters from putting together damaging innings in those two starts. He’s just hoping it translates to some more wins down the road.

“I’ve battled though my first two starts,” Aungst said. “My command hasn’t been where it needs to be, but I’ve minimized and stayed away from those big innings and competed well through my first two starts.”

Aungst entered this season with the seventh-lowest ERA in Saint Joe’s history with a 3.24 average. His 1.60 ERA as a freshman was the 10th-lowest for a Hawk ever in a single season, and that earned him Saint Joseph’s Pitcher of the Year honors as a freshman.

After wrapping up a six-game Florida swing this week, St. Joe’s will play Friday at home against Wagner. The Hawks will be in the Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, April 18 to face Lehigh in Bethlehem.