Brentwood baseball returns strong core

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 16, 2018 | 11:00 PM

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The Brentwood baseball team could have a formidable lineup, thanks mainly to the return of some of the team's leading hitters.

Coach Greg Perdziola welcomed back five returning starters from last year's playoff squad, led by senior pitcher/infielder Easton Klein, who hit .404 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 2017.

“I'm expecting big things out of our team this year,” Klein said, “and I'm willing to do everything I can to make my last season with the Spartans a successful one. I expect to make a very strong and competitive run for the section that will hopefully lead to a deep run through the playoffs.”

Other returning starters are senior outfielders Austin Veatch (.375) and Brendan Donnelly (.357), junior catcher Brandon Griener (.333) and junior DH Logan Keach (.300). Donnelly (12), Griener (12) and Keach (10) combined to drive in 34 runs a year ago.

“Our expectations are the same as every year: to win the section and make the playoffs,” Perdziola said. “We play in a very tough section, and I am confident that our players will be ready and will step up to compete for the section title and playoff spot. Offensively, we should be pretty good. Klein was very good last year, batting .404 with three home runs, and I expect him to be even better this year. Veatch and Donnelly both batted over .350, and Griener and Keach both batted over .300.

“It is always good to be strong up the middle, and that will be one of our strengths. Klein has experience at shortstop, and Veatch is a two-year starter in center field. Griener was a nice surprise last year and has developed into a very good defensive catcher.”

Sophomore Jayneil Latham, who saw time at the end of last season, and sophomore Zach Keib will fill in at second base and shortstop this season. Seniors Stephanos Mavroides and Kevin Brown are battling for playing time at first base. Brown and junior Tom Clibbens will play outfield.

Easton posted a 4-0 record last year, striking out 22 in 18 innings.

“I hope to improve as an overall player in every aspect of my game, whether it's at the plate, in the field or on the mound,” Klein said. “I set my personal expectations as high as I can for myself.”

Brentwood went 14-3 last season, which included a 12-2 mark and second-place finish in Section 3-2A. The Spartans started with six consecutive wins and were 12-1 after 13 games.

“Overall, I don't consider this a rebuilding year, but we will have to rebuild our pitching staff,” Perdziola said. “We lost three-fourths of our starting pitching to graduation.

“Klein is the only returning starter with varsity experience. Easton has worked very hard this offseason to improve his pitching, and he will be our go-to guy to start the season.”

Along with Klein, early front-runners for the pitching rotation include Clibbens, Brown, Griener and Latham.

“Hopefully, we can get in some nonsection games to get them some experience,” Perdziola said

Veatch, Keach and Keib also will be given the opportunity to earn a rotation spot.

Other players vying for varsity action are junior catcher Jake Killen, sophomore outfielder Aidan Davis, and sophomore infielders Matt Veatch, Tyler Barrett and Elliot Stypula.

“We have a very nice group of freshmen,” Perdziola said, “and I'm looking forward to see if any of them can earn varsity playing time.”

A year ago, Brentwood won eight of its last nine regular-season games to land the No. 4 seed in Class 2A and a first-round bye before losing to Freedom in the WPIAL quarterfinals.

The Spartans committed only nine errors in 16 regular-season games and batted .489 as a team, averaging 9.5 runs.

“We're hoping to build off of our strong offensive season last year,” Klein said. “Even though we've lost some pitching depth, I believe our defense will carry us through the season.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Brentwood