The Charleston Catholic girls track team has quietly become quite the threat in Class A Region IV, as the team finished fourth at last weekend's Gazette/Friends of Coal Relays. For my article on the Irish girls track team in today's Daily Mail, click here.
At Gazette Relays, the Irish placed fourth with 75 points, behind Tyler Consolidated (93), runner-up Clay-Battelle (101) and winner Doddridge County (121).
Doddridge entered the meet ranked second in the state, according to www.runwv.com, while Clay-Battelle listed fourth and Tyler Consolidated fifth. No. 1 and back-to-back champ Williamstown did not race at Gazettes. Catholic, which entered ranked 10th in Class A girls, finished ahead of No. 7 Richwood, which finished seventh at Gazettes.
Juniors Quincy McKown and Gina Marks, and freshman Peyton Keener each claimed individual event titles at Gazettes, while the 4x800-meter relay group of McKown, Keener, Sarah Joseck and Amanda Lane won, too. The 4x800 relay defeated its next closest competitor Tyler Consolidated by more than 20 seconds. The Irish 4x800 relay entered the meet ranked second in the state.
McKown and Keener turned in perhaps the most impressive performances. McKown beat her previous 800 season-best record by nine seconds, to finish in 2:30.76. Keener finished fourth in the 800 at 2:37.62.
Keener claimed first in the 1600 with a time of 5:39.47 to edge McKown in second at 5:40.32. Both times were season-bests for the runners, Catholic coach Scott Welch said.
In addition to running on the first-place 4x800 relay, Keener and McKown ran with Joseck and Casey Gennette on the fourth-place 4x400 team.
Here's a quick run-down of other Catholic girls performances at the Gazette relays:
100: Catherine Caisngal, sixth (:14.10)
200: Joseck, sixth (:29.27)
400: Joseck, third (1:05.68); Gennette, seventh (1:09.56)
3200: Annie Crockett, fifth (13:40.45); Kara Lough, eighth (14:16.65)
100H: Emily Holmes, sixth (:18.87)
300H: Holmes, seventh (:56.26)
4x100: Dawn Cooper, Gennette, Lauren Somers, Claire Zain, 10th
4x200: Gennette, Zain, Holmes, Cooper, seventh
Pole Vault: Casingal, second (8-6)
Long Jump: Cooper, 13th (12-0)
Discus: Marks, seventh (76-8)
Entering the weekend's Gazette Relays, several individual Irish athletes were ranked in runwv.com's top 10, in addition to a few relay teams. Here are those rankings:
Class A girls track top 10 statewide rankings:
400: Payton Mullen, tied-sixth (1:05.48)
800: McKown, fifth (2:40.08)
1600: Keener, eighth (5:55.52)
4x100: fifth
4x200: fifth
4x400: fourth
4x800: second
Pole Vault: Casingal, second (8-0); Sydney Taylor, fifth (7-6)
Shot Put: Marks, seventh (30-5)
Obviously, these rankings will be updated and pending performances of other athletes in the top 10 from this past weekend, the Irish can expect to rise in some rankings.
Below, I would like to include some extra quotes from my interview with Catholic coach Scott Welch that did not make my article in The Daily Mail.
Scott Welch, Charleston Catholic track coach
-on why the team excelled at Gazette Relays
“I’m not exactly sure why they did so well. One girl knocked off 20 seconds, one girl 18 seconds off their mile. Quincy won the 800 in 2:30. Her best has been a 2:39, and that’s coming off a mile, so we were really pleased with that.”
“Gazettes kind of pumps you up a little bit. Doddridge County was there and some other good, quality teams, and some of our girls are experienced enough to know our region is incredibly tough with Doddridge, Williamstown and Buffalo and us.”
-on lack of true sprinters on this year's team
“We don’t have a 100 or 200 runner this year. We’ve had one for about four or five years straight with different girls. We have a nice collection of speed, so when our 4x1s and 4x2s get together…
-on freshman Payton Mullen, who did not race at Gazette Relays
“She’s a very, very strong runner. She’s also a miler, an 800 and will run the speed relays more than likely.”
-on team's top field-event athlete, Gina Marks
“Gina Marks did a nice job with the shot. She won that. She’s capable -- that’s not her best throw. She’s capable of throwing better .She’s going to have to when we get to states, but she’s capable of hitting 32, 33, even 34, I think, so she did a nice job in that.”
-on strength of Class A, Region IV
“We know that if you finish in the top seven -- your top three automatically go -- and our region is so strong, we know that you might have a very good chance of making it in the states if you finish seventh.”
-on takeaways from weekend's Gazette Relays
“I think they walked away with a lot more confidence. They felt very good about themselves as they walked away.”
Monday, April 29, 2013
Busy Week for Kanawha Valley Track, Softball
This week I have another schedule full of high school coverage working with The Charleston Daily Mail.
If you're a track athlete/fan, they'll be plenty coming this week in The Daily Mail.
I interviewed Charleston Catholic track coach Scott Welch on Sunday for his thoughts on his 10th-ranked Irish squad after placing fourth at the Gazette/Friends of Coal Relays during the weekend. I'll have a story on the Catholic girls track team for Tuesday's edition of The Daily Mail, as well as a blog post to follow with some extra information and statistics that did not make the article.
On Thursday, I plan to visit Poca, which hosts the Cardinal Conference Track Championships. Among my plans, I'll visit with Dots senior hurdler Josh Crites as he works to defend his all-state status in the final weeks of the season. I'll have a story on that in Friday's edition of The Daily Mail.
Also, for Friday's Daily Mail, I'll preview the Mountain State Athletic Conference Track Championships, which will be held Friday at the University of Charleston's Laidley Field.
So, there's something for track fans of every class. On Tuesday, Catholic will represent Class A schools, while I'll take a look at Crites and the Cardinal Conference (AA) Championship on Friday, as well as AAA's MSAC championship.
With each event and article, I'll do my best to post blogs with extra material that did not make articles.
For softball fans, I'll be covering Wednesday's action in the Class AAA Region IV Section III Tournament. Nitro is set to play St. Albans at St. Albans 5 p.m. Wednesday. The loser will face Logan 30 minutes following the completion of the first game.
My coverage of that evening's second game will be in Thursday's edition of The Daily Mail.
So check The Daily Mail and check back here if you're a fan of Kanawha Valley softball or track. There should be something for everyone. Thanks for visiting.
If you're a track athlete/fan, they'll be plenty coming this week in The Daily Mail.
I interviewed Charleston Catholic track coach Scott Welch on Sunday for his thoughts on his 10th-ranked Irish squad after placing fourth at the Gazette/Friends of Coal Relays during the weekend. I'll have a story on the Catholic girls track team for Tuesday's edition of The Daily Mail, as well as a blog post to follow with some extra information and statistics that did not make the article.
On Thursday, I plan to visit Poca, which hosts the Cardinal Conference Track Championships. Among my plans, I'll visit with Dots senior hurdler Josh Crites as he works to defend his all-state status in the final weeks of the season. I'll have a story on that in Friday's edition of The Daily Mail.
Also, for Friday's Daily Mail, I'll preview the Mountain State Athletic Conference Track Championships, which will be held Friday at the University of Charleston's Laidley Field.
So, there's something for track fans of every class. On Tuesday, Catholic will represent Class A schools, while I'll take a look at Crites and the Cardinal Conference (AA) Championship on Friday, as well as AAA's MSAC championship.
With each event and article, I'll do my best to post blogs with extra material that did not make articles.
For softball fans, I'll be covering Wednesday's action in the Class AAA Region IV Section III Tournament. Nitro is set to play St. Albans at St. Albans 5 p.m. Wednesday. The loser will face Logan 30 minutes following the completion of the first game.
My coverage of that evening's second game will be in Thursday's edition of The Daily Mail.
So check The Daily Mail and check back here if you're a fan of Kanawha Valley softball or track. There should be something for everyone. Thanks for visiting.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Even More Talk On The Gazette Relays
Even with a preview article in The Daily Mail and a pretty extensive run-down in the previous post, I still didn't include all the material I collected about the Gazette/Friends of Coal Relays.
Below are some extraneous quotes I wanted to share for there was no other room to use them.
David Bailey, Winfield girls track coach
-on significance of running Gazette Relays in preparation of state meet, which is at Laidley Field like Gazettes
“They have the same schedule. I think that’s the big thing there. The kids get used to the schedule, the same as the state meet. That’s big.”
-on team's youth
“I don’t have a lot of seniors, but the seniors I do have are starting to show great leadership, starting to step up and help the young kids, so now you’re starting to see the fruits of what they’ve been doing, and I think that’s a big difference right there. They’re really producing.”
-on biggest takeaway in racing at Gazettes
“My kids are just doing a great job and I’m excited about the Gazette Relays for them. It will make a difference.”
-on his team's No. 5 ranking in the state, according to www.runwv.com
“I blow that off, to be honest with you. It’s great motivation for my kids, but...
“At least they know where they stand and know what they have to do, so when they set those goals out there it makes a big difference for them, it really does. It gives them something to go for.”
Jason Henley, Hurricane distance coach
-on team's approach to training with just a few weeks left in the season
“We are the point now with the distance runners we’re starting to back off mileage a little bit, with the sprinters and the jumpers and the field event people, we’re starting to pretty much fine tune across the board and just get ready to be able to lay it down when it matters. We always talk about peaking when it counts, and that’s the goal for these last three weeks.”
-on team's balance
“We’re pulling points from everywhere. When you look at where our points came from in that meet Friday night (at the Winfield Classic), it was all across.”
-on Gazette Relays field of competition
“You’re taking your best of the best and putting it up against everyone else’s best of the best.”
John Bonecutter, Poca track coach
-on significance of Gazettes
“The Gazette helps you gauge where you’re at. It’s kind of the preview of the state meet, because most of the teams from all around the state, even the teams up north like Fairmont Senior, East Fairmont, North Marion, Berkeley Springs, teams that you’re not going to see up north, they normally come to Gazettes, so you normally get to see everybody that you’re going to see at states, with the exception of a few, but for the most part you’re going to see everybody at Gazettes that you’re going to see at states.”
Jared Smith, Capital cross country coach
-on Gazettes
“It’s always been a prestigious meet, a lot of fast people and this gives a chance, for the kids, going into the postseason to see where they’re at with their abilities.”
-on what he told his runner Marshall Sharp about Gazette Relays
“I said we’re going to go out there and show the state of West Virginia what we’re all about.”
-on team's hard work
“Their hard work will pay off in the end. I don’t care what they do at the beginning of the season. I care about what they do that the end, because that’s where it matters the most.”
Gazette Relays: The State's Best Track Athletes
One of the West Virginia's most celebrated and anticipated regular season high school track meets commences today and continues Saturday in the Gazette/Friends of Coal Relays. The meet is to be held at the University of Charleston's Laidley Field.
For my preview article on the meet, read my story in The Daily Mail here. With so many teams and material to cover, I could not possibly fit everything into one newspaper article, so this post will incorporate some of my stuff that didn't make today's Daily Mail story. And even that can't do all the participating athletes justice. I apologize. As a former track athlete myself, I understand the hard work and dedication that is sacrificed in a sport that receives so little attention.
With those words, I will do my best to mention all the top local athletes competing in this weekend's Gazette Relays, but please understand not everyone could be mentioned, and in the interest of space and time, I did not address relay teams, because each team then requires four names to be mentioned.
From sprints to distance to field events, there will be plenty of tough competition in this year's Gazettes field. Approximately 70 West Virginia schools are expected to attend, according to a preliminary list supplied by meet organizer Jim Crawford.
Five of the six reigning track team champions will be in attendance:
In addition to the many WV schools, seven from Ohio are expected to race, as well as two from Virginia and one from Kentucky.
In both Class A and Class AA, six of the state's top 10 girls teams, according to www.runwv.com, and eight of the top 10 boys teams will be in attendance.
For Class AAA, four of the top 10 boys teams will race, including three-time defending champ Jefferson, who currently ranks No. 1 again.
"Jefferson is definitely the team to beat and are very strong again this year," Cabell Midland coach Chris Parsons said. "They have a well rounded team with some top-notch field, sprinters, hurdlers, and distance runners. Our strength comes primarily from our distance and hurdlers."
While second-rated Cabell Midland will be in attendance, the team will not be at full strength, as many of the team's top athletes, including senior Jacob Burcham, will be at the Eastern Relays, held at the University of Louisville, Parsons said.
A quick and dirty run-down on local top athletes scheduled to compete at Gazettes this weekend:
100: Jamel Phillips (Capital), Marquez Griffin (Point Pleasant), Naquay Little (Capital), William Jackson (Riverside), Colton Griffith (Winfield), Steven Handley (Hurricane)
200: Handley (Hurricane), Jackson (Riverside), Jacob Jackson (George Washington), Little (Capital), Griffith (Winfield)
400: Zach Canterbury (Point Pleasant), William Jackson (Riverside), Jacob Jackson (GW), Caleb Riffle (Point Pleasant), Edmond Harvey (Capital), Phillips (Capital)
800: Riffle (Point Pleasant), Preston Sheldon (Winfield), Matt Brafford (GW), Ryan Bonecutter (Point Pleasant), Michael Ruhnke (Capital), Will Thornton (Hurricane), Marshall Sharp (Capital)
1600: Brafford (GW), Ruhnke (Capital), Sharp (Capital)
3200: Brafford (GW), Chad Hollandsworth (GW), Drake Seccurro (Hurricane), Jake Henley (St. Albans)
110H: James Knox (Capital), Dailey (Midland)
300H: Dailey (Midland), Will Walker (GW), Cody Marcum (Point Pleasant), Knox (Capital), Lucas Roberts (Capital)
High jump: Christian Smith (Winfield)
Pole vault: Chris Cochran (Winfield), Chantz Rankin (Hurricane)
Long jump: Nathan Wendel (Hurricane), Zack Sellards (Midland)
Shot put: Jacob Lomax (St. Albans), Tannor Hill (Point Pleasant), Nick Peyette (GW), Travis Vickers (St. Albans), Spencer Turley (Hurricane), Zach Namey (Winfield)
Discus: Lomax (St. Albans), Vickers (St. Albans)
The competition will be fierce on the AAA girls side, with defending champ Morgantown and current No. 1 Buckhannon-Upshur in attendance. In addition, fourth-ranked University will be there, along with Kanawha Valley powers Winfield (No. 5), St. Albans (eighth) and Hurricane (10th).
In sprint events, I expect to see Anacia Hines, of St. Albans, and Winfield's Emily Cole and Anika Shah among the top spots. Each will also contend in the 200. In addition, Cole should be among the meet's top long-jumpers.
For the 400, expect Andrea Porter (Point Pleasant), Barkley Castro (Winfield) and Haeley Moore (Winfield) among those fighting for points.
Castro will also be among the best in the 800, along with Peyton Panger (Capital), Emily Schwendiman (Hurricane), Natalie Schwendiman (Hurricane) and Darian Wikel (Winfield).
Panger looks to be the favorite in the mile (1600). She'll contend with Porter and Hurricane's Joie Johnston and Abbie Short, as well as Brittney McMillion and Rachel Englund of Winfield.
Emily Schwendiman appears to be the one to beat in the two-mile, but she'll have competition from Panger, McMillion, Englund, Porter and teammate Baylee Summers.
As for hurdles, Hines, of St. Albans, should be among the leaders in both events, as should Winfield's Josee Erlandson and Audrey Barber, of Hurricane.
In further specialties, it appears Winfield's Allie Perry enters as the favorite for pole vault. She'll battle Hurricane's Lauren London, among others. Hurricane's Abby Watson is expected to place well in both discus and shot put
In boys AA, No. 1 Roane and third-ranked Ritchie will be at Gazettes, while seventh-ranked Poca represents the Valley's best team at the meet.
Poca's Christian Buckley is the clear favorite, as the state's top athlete, in both the shot put and discus. Poca could take each of the top three spots in the disc, with Buckley's older brother Quentin Buckley and fellow Dot Jacob Hickman each rated as tied second-best among competitors in this week's meet. Quentin Buckley should contend in the shot, too, along with teammate Corey McClure.
Dots hurdler Josh Crites will be among the favorites in both individual hurdles events, with teammate Austin McNeely also in the mix.
Poca should also post points in the long jump with A.J. Keys and Caleb Samples among the event's top athletes.
For girls Class AA, the Mountain State's northern schools are expected to shine, with no Kanawha Valley schools among the state's top 10. However, the Dots should record points with several top athletes.
Poca's Marissa Perkins enters as the favorite in the 200, while fellow Dots Madison Eastwood (100), Paula Ord (300 hurdles, 400, 800) and Jade Watts (pole vault) will be among top athletes in their respective events. Also for Poca, Kristen Broughman looks to be the favorite in shot put, while Kelsey Westfall and Keree Moles will battle for points in the discus.
In girls Class A, Buffalo's Brianne Cantley will compete in the 100 and 200. Charleston Catholic junior Sarah Joseck will be among top contenders in the 400. Irish runners Peyton Keener and Quincy McKown will race in the 800 and 1600.
Catholic's Gina Marks enters as the favorite in shot and could score in discus too.
On the boys Class A side, Buffalo's Jordan Tucker (100, 200) and Isaiah Robinson (400), as well as Catholic's Sam Revercomb (200) and Spencer Panaro (400) list among the area's top sprinters at Gazettes.
Robinson will also compete in the 800, with teammate and favorite-to-win Dylan Rich, as well as Catholic's Caden McClanahan. Rich is also favored to win the mile and compete for the top spot in the two-mile.
Other top local distance runners in attendance will be Marcus Black (Catholic) and Hayden Harrison (Buffalo).
In hurdles, Buffalo's Gabe Garrison and Cody Sheppard, along with Phillip Mallory, of Catholic, will fight for points.
For my preview article on the meet, read my story in The Daily Mail here. With so many teams and material to cover, I could not possibly fit everything into one newspaper article, so this post will incorporate some of my stuff that didn't make today's Daily Mail story. And even that can't do all the participating athletes justice. I apologize. As a former track athlete myself, I understand the hard work and dedication that is sacrificed in a sport that receives so little attention.
With those words, I will do my best to mention all the top local athletes competing in this weekend's Gazette Relays, but please understand not everyone could be mentioned, and in the interest of space and time, I did not address relay teams, because each team then requires four names to be mentioned.
From sprints to distance to field events, there will be plenty of tough competition in this year's Gazettes field. Approximately 70 West Virginia schools are expected to attend, according to a preliminary list supplied by meet organizer Jim Crawford.
Five of the six reigning track team champions will be in attendance:
- Morgantown (AAA girls)
- Jefferson (AAA boys)
- Berkeley Springs (AA girls)
- Ritchie County (AA boys)
- Doddridge County (A boys)
In addition to the many WV schools, seven from Ohio are expected to race, as well as two from Virginia and one from Kentucky.
In both Class A and Class AA, six of the state's top 10 girls teams, according to www.runwv.com, and eight of the top 10 boys teams will be in attendance.
For Class AAA, four of the top 10 boys teams will race, including three-time defending champ Jefferson, who currently ranks No. 1 again.
"Jefferson is definitely the team to beat and are very strong again this year," Cabell Midland coach Chris Parsons said. "They have a well rounded team with some top-notch field, sprinters, hurdlers, and distance runners. Our strength comes primarily from our distance and hurdlers."
While second-rated Cabell Midland will be in attendance, the team will not be at full strength, as many of the team's top athletes, including senior Jacob Burcham, will be at the Eastern Relays, held at the University of Louisville, Parsons said.
A quick and dirty run-down on local top athletes scheduled to compete at Gazettes this weekend:
100: Jamel Phillips (Capital), Marquez Griffin (Point Pleasant), Naquay Little (Capital), William Jackson (Riverside), Colton Griffith (Winfield), Steven Handley (Hurricane)
200: Handley (Hurricane), Jackson (Riverside), Jacob Jackson (George Washington), Little (Capital), Griffith (Winfield)
400: Zach Canterbury (Point Pleasant), William Jackson (Riverside), Jacob Jackson (GW), Caleb Riffle (Point Pleasant), Edmond Harvey (Capital), Phillips (Capital)
800: Riffle (Point Pleasant), Preston Sheldon (Winfield), Matt Brafford (GW), Ryan Bonecutter (Point Pleasant), Michael Ruhnke (Capital), Will Thornton (Hurricane), Marshall Sharp (Capital)
1600: Brafford (GW), Ruhnke (Capital), Sharp (Capital)
3200: Brafford (GW), Chad Hollandsworth (GW), Drake Seccurro (Hurricane), Jake Henley (St. Albans)
110H: James Knox (Capital), Dailey (Midland)
300H: Dailey (Midland), Will Walker (GW), Cody Marcum (Point Pleasant), Knox (Capital), Lucas Roberts (Capital)
High jump: Christian Smith (Winfield)
Pole vault: Chris Cochran (Winfield), Chantz Rankin (Hurricane)
Long jump: Nathan Wendel (Hurricane), Zack Sellards (Midland)
Shot put: Jacob Lomax (St. Albans), Tannor Hill (Point Pleasant), Nick Peyette (GW), Travis Vickers (St. Albans), Spencer Turley (Hurricane), Zach Namey (Winfield)
Discus: Lomax (St. Albans), Vickers (St. Albans)
The competition will be fierce on the AAA girls side, with defending champ Morgantown and current No. 1 Buckhannon-Upshur in attendance. In addition, fourth-ranked University will be there, along with Kanawha Valley powers Winfield (No. 5), St. Albans (eighth) and Hurricane (10th).
In sprint events, I expect to see Anacia Hines, of St. Albans, and Winfield's Emily Cole and Anika Shah among the top spots. Each will also contend in the 200. In addition, Cole should be among the meet's top long-jumpers.
For the 400, expect Andrea Porter (Point Pleasant), Barkley Castro (Winfield) and Haeley Moore (Winfield) among those fighting for points.
Castro will also be among the best in the 800, along with Peyton Panger (Capital), Emily Schwendiman (Hurricane), Natalie Schwendiman (Hurricane) and Darian Wikel (Winfield).
Panger looks to be the favorite in the mile (1600). She'll contend with Porter and Hurricane's Joie Johnston and Abbie Short, as well as Brittney McMillion and Rachel Englund of Winfield.
Emily Schwendiman appears to be the one to beat in the two-mile, but she'll have competition from Panger, McMillion, Englund, Porter and teammate Baylee Summers.
As for hurdles, Hines, of St. Albans, should be among the leaders in both events, as should Winfield's Josee Erlandson and Audrey Barber, of Hurricane.
In further specialties, it appears Winfield's Allie Perry enters as the favorite for pole vault. She'll battle Hurricane's Lauren London, among others. Hurricane's Abby Watson is expected to place well in both discus and shot put
In boys AA, No. 1 Roane and third-ranked Ritchie will be at Gazettes, while seventh-ranked Poca represents the Valley's best team at the meet.
Poca's Christian Buckley is the clear favorite, as the state's top athlete, in both the shot put and discus. Poca could take each of the top three spots in the disc, with Buckley's older brother Quentin Buckley and fellow Dot Jacob Hickman each rated as tied second-best among competitors in this week's meet. Quentin Buckley should contend in the shot, too, along with teammate Corey McClure.
Dots hurdler Josh Crites will be among the favorites in both individual hurdles events, with teammate Austin McNeely also in the mix.
Poca should also post points in the long jump with A.J. Keys and Caleb Samples among the event's top athletes.
For girls Class AA, the Mountain State's northern schools are expected to shine, with no Kanawha Valley schools among the state's top 10. However, the Dots should record points with several top athletes.
Poca's Marissa Perkins enters as the favorite in the 200, while fellow Dots Madison Eastwood (100), Paula Ord (300 hurdles, 400, 800) and Jade Watts (pole vault) will be among top athletes in their respective events. Also for Poca, Kristen Broughman looks to be the favorite in shot put, while Kelsey Westfall and Keree Moles will battle for points in the discus.
In girls Class A, Buffalo's Brianne Cantley will compete in the 100 and 200. Charleston Catholic junior Sarah Joseck will be among top contenders in the 400. Irish runners Peyton Keener and Quincy McKown will race in the 800 and 1600.
Catholic's Gina Marks enters as the favorite in shot and could score in discus too.
On the boys Class A side, Buffalo's Jordan Tucker (100, 200) and Isaiah Robinson (400), as well as Catholic's Sam Revercomb (200) and Spencer Panaro (400) list among the area's top sprinters at Gazettes.
Robinson will also compete in the 800, with teammate and favorite-to-win Dylan Rich, as well as Catholic's Caden McClanahan. Rich is also favored to win the mile and compete for the top spot in the two-mile.
Other top local distance runners in attendance will be Marcus Black (Catholic) and Hayden Harrison (Buffalo).
In hurdles, Buffalo's Gabe Garrison and Cody Sheppard, along with Phillip Mallory, of Catholic, will fight for points.
Brunetti Adjusts With Success To College Basebell
Playing opportunities rarely present to freshman athletes, but for University of Charleston baseball player Anthony Brunetti, the Huntington product has forced his way into the lineup with his many skills and ability to deliver.
Brunetti brings many talents to the Golden Eagles baseball team (17-23) as he can pitch, hit and play infield, particularly third base, and he's shown the ability to quickly adjust to the college level. For a full article on Brunetti’s transition to college, read my article in today’s Daily Mail by clicking here.
“Everything’s faster, more efficient and a lot more faster-paced," Brunetti said of the difference between high school ball and college. "Balls are hit harder to the corners and it’s a lot more focused than high school.”
His outstanding play has afforded him plenty of opportunity to remain on the field.
“He’s been playing a lot of third base for us the last three weeks," UC Coach Lee Bradley said.
Brunetti recorded multi-hit games in each of his first four games at the plate this season, and has posted seven multi-hit games on the season. Entering Friday's action, Brunetti had a .458 batting average with 22 hits in 48 at-bats.
Brunetti said the key to hitting success is being patient.
“You just got to make sure you pick out good pitches, and that’s basically been the key for me," he said, "just trying to figure out, get my pitch and try to get ahead in the count hitting wise, just like a pitcher would do pitching wise.”
In addition to a solid batting average, Brunetti has recorded 17 runs scored, eight RBI, seven doubles and one home run. He's stolen four bases and struck out just three times.
His skills also extend to the mound, as well.
Brunetti has made nine appearances this season, all as a reliever, to post a 1-0 record and 6.40 earned run average. That ERA stood at 3.86, before a rough outing at West Liberty on Tuesday. In 12 and two-third innings pitched this season, Brunetti has allowed nine earned runs, struck out nine and walked five.
Brunetti said he considers himself a fastball-reliant pitcher, with a fastball consistently in the low 80s and topping near 85, 86 miles per hour.
“I usually try to get by on my fastball," he said. "I’ll usually try to come in and be aggressive to batters, try to make them see how far they can hit it against me. I usually can get some quick outs, so that helps.”
His velocity has increased this year as a result of a dedicated effort to improve his strength.
“I’ve put on 10, 15 pounds since about my senior year of high school," Brunetti said, "and it helped me that I’ve put in a lot of time just practicing and doing stuff on my own, additionally without the team and with the team practicing here.”
Now, Brunetti lists at 6-foot tall, 180 pounds.
Though Brunetti has pitched exclusively as a reliever this season, Bradley said there's possibility Brunetti could become a starter.
“I think he has the make-up and the tools and the ability to be a starter," he said, "now that if that’s what we need out of him, that’s what we’re going to do with him."
Bradley said the coaching staff will evaluate the team’s needs in the offseason before making such a decision.
No matter the position, it's clear Brunetti factors importantly into UC baseball's future, whether it's at the plate, third base or on the mound.
UC next plays 1 p.m. today at West Virginia State University. The Golden Eagles will conclude the regular season 1 p.m. Saturday at WVSU.
Brunetti brings many talents to the Golden Eagles baseball team (17-23) as he can pitch, hit and play infield, particularly third base, and he's shown the ability to quickly adjust to the college level. For a full article on Brunetti’s transition to college, read my article in today’s Daily Mail by clicking here.
“Everything’s faster, more efficient and a lot more faster-paced," Brunetti said of the difference between high school ball and college. "Balls are hit harder to the corners and it’s a lot more focused than high school.”
His outstanding play has afforded him plenty of opportunity to remain on the field.
“He’s been playing a lot of third base for us the last three weeks," UC Coach Lee Bradley said.
Brunetti recorded multi-hit games in each of his first four games at the plate this season, and has posted seven multi-hit games on the season. Entering Friday's action, Brunetti had a .458 batting average with 22 hits in 48 at-bats.
Brunetti said the key to hitting success is being patient.
“You just got to make sure you pick out good pitches, and that’s basically been the key for me," he said, "just trying to figure out, get my pitch and try to get ahead in the count hitting wise, just like a pitcher would do pitching wise.”
In addition to a solid batting average, Brunetti has recorded 17 runs scored, eight RBI, seven doubles and one home run. He's stolen four bases and struck out just three times.
His skills also extend to the mound, as well.
Brunetti has made nine appearances this season, all as a reliever, to post a 1-0 record and 6.40 earned run average. That ERA stood at 3.86, before a rough outing at West Liberty on Tuesday. In 12 and two-third innings pitched this season, Brunetti has allowed nine earned runs, struck out nine and walked five.
Brunetti said he considers himself a fastball-reliant pitcher, with a fastball consistently in the low 80s and topping near 85, 86 miles per hour.
“I usually try to get by on my fastball," he said. "I’ll usually try to come in and be aggressive to batters, try to make them see how far they can hit it against me. I usually can get some quick outs, so that helps.”
His velocity has increased this year as a result of a dedicated effort to improve his strength.
“I’ve put on 10, 15 pounds since about my senior year of high school," Brunetti said, "and it helped me that I’ve put in a lot of time just practicing and doing stuff on my own, additionally without the team and with the team practicing here.”
Now, Brunetti lists at 6-foot tall, 180 pounds.
Though Brunetti has pitched exclusively as a reliever this season, Bradley said there's possibility Brunetti could become a starter.
“I think he has the make-up and the tools and the ability to be a starter," he said, "now that if that’s what we need out of him, that’s what we’re going to do with him."
Bradley said the coaching staff will evaluate the team’s needs in the offseason before making such a decision.
No matter the position, it's clear Brunetti factors importantly into UC baseball's future, whether it's at the plate, third base or on the mound.
UC next plays 1 p.m. today at West Virginia State University. The Golden Eagles will conclude the regular season 1 p.m. Saturday at WVSU.
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