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.