Brentwood’s Kevin Brown doing it all for baseball team
By:
Friday, May 25, 2018 | 11:35 PM
Kevin Brown is making the most of his senior season at Brentwood.
Brown, a wide receiver/linebacker on the football team, is a starting pitcher/outfielder on the baseball team.
“I think the team had a very strong (regular) season, in the field and especially at the plate,” Brown said. “I thought everyone hit extremely well. Also, I'd like to say that our coaches had a big part of why we had such a strong season.”
Brown, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound left-hander, was the winning pitcher in Brentwood's 8-2 first-round win against Chartiers-Houston in the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.
The Spartans have advanced to the playoffs for four consecutive seasons.
Brown threw a strong 5 1⁄3 innings against the Buccaneers, allowing one earned run and five hits. He struck out five and walked one. His best effort came in the second inning when he retired the side on seven pitches.
Brown improved to 2-0 with a 1.87 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 15 innings. He also went 2 for 4 with a triple and three RBIs against Chartiers-Houston.
Considering the circumstances, it was the top all-around game of his high school career.
“The key to winning was to be aggressive at the plate,” Brown said, “and to not have errors in the field.”
With his two hits, Brown boosted his batting average to .325. He ranks among the team leaders in RBIs with 12.
“Kevin didn't play last year, so we didn't really know how he would do with a year off,” Brentwood coach Greg Perdziola said. “He has been a very consistent player for us all year. He really has been a pleasant surprise on the mound. Kevin and Easton Klein give us a nice one-two punch at the top of our rotation.
“One thing about Kevin is he is very coachable. He has really learned how to pitch, opposed to just throwing a fastball. He also has shown his toughness, battling with some shoulder soreness throughout the year. Confidence also has played a big role in his success. He had a good year in football, and it has carried over to the baseball field. You could see him gaining confidence each game.”
Brown has played baseball since he was 5 as a member of the T-ball league in Brentwood. He also competes in CYO softball and basketball, and he plays travel soccer.
“I have pitched ever since I was in Little League,” Brown said. “My two-seam fastball was my best pitch throughout the (2018) season.”
Brown has played football since he was 8. Last fall, he helped lead the Brentwood football team to a WPIAL playoff berth, the Spartans' ninth postseason appearance in the past 10 years.
Brown recorded 10 receptions for 106 yards as the Spartans finished 5-5.
“I thought the football season went very good,” Brown said. “I loved the atmosphere, and it was one of the best memories I had throughout high school.”
Brentwood lost 6-2 to third-seeded Neshannock on May 21 in the WPIAL baseball quarterfinals, finishing the season 11-7.
Brown plans to attend Community College of Allegheny County in the fall.
Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.
Tags: Brentwood
More High School Baseball
• Hampton trio to play Division I baseball next season• GCC baseball coach Reist organizes fundraiser for team, less-privileged children
• Rivals from North Allegheny, Pine-Richland to join forces at Penn State
• Shaler Area’s Rispoli commits to play baseball at Dayton
• Hampton selects Long as new baseball coach
