03/25/2007

Bradford High returns to the baseball diamond with cautious
optimism, eight letter winners and a roster 32-deep for its
upcoming 2007 season.

Ever since the Owls, who finished at 6-13 last season, started
practice sessions March 5, head coach Tim Burris has stressed
fundamentals of the game and emphasized a one-game-at-a-time
approach.

“We’re just looking at winning one pitch at a time,” Burris
said. “If we’re successful doing that, it will show up in our
record.”

Three senior lettermen return to the field – Nick Foster, Jim
Milbrandt and Alex Faucher.

While Foster plays in the infield for Bradford, Milbrandt will
pitch and see time in the outfield. Faucher is a pitcher and first
baseman.

“Foster is very versatile,” the coach noted. “He can play
anywhere on the field for us.”

Other seniors on the team are Karl McCracken, Steve Butler and
E.J. Moore. Neither Butler nor Moore played on last year’s
squad.

“With senior leadership, it helps to have the addition of Butler
and Moore,” Burris said. “They both can pitch and play the
outfield.

“Our strength is that we have more options this year,” he added.
“For pitching, we were handcuffed last year. All of our guys are
working hard and starting to pick up the little things.”

A trio of junior letterwinners return for the Owls – Garrett
DeCasper, Ryan LaBrozzi and Taylor O’Brien. Sophomores Lou Jones
and Mike Pascarella also return with letters.

“We’re looking to turn close games that we lost last season into
victories this season,” said an optimistic Burris.

“We need to throw strikes,” he continued. “The last couple of
years we gave up too many walks. Throwing strikes will give us a
better chance to win games.”

Burris is joined in coaching duties by Kevin Moyer (varsity
assistant coach), Rich LaBrozzi (varsity assistant), Brian Pelka
(pitching/JV coach) and Jerry Peters (assistant JV coach).

“They are a hard-working staff,” Burris complimented. “These
guys are good at communicating for the good of the team.”

With hard work and a little improvement, this could be a
breakout season for Bradford baseball.

“We are cautiously optimistic,” Burris admitted. “If players
continue to get better and pay attention to detail, games will take
care of themselves.”

Rounding out the Owls’ 2007 roster are juniors Ian Clark, Kevin
Pautler, Mark Willard and Lewis Keller (jr./manager).

Sophomores are Casey Graffius, Maverick Irwin, Josh Lightner,
Ryan Marshall, Cody Matzner, Pat Perschke, Pat O’Hare, Nate Rhodes,
Clayton Yohe and Cory Viola.

Freshmen are Zach Bhe, Evan Kline, Garrett Newhouse, Broud
O’Connell, Rich Obermeyer, Josh Scott, Ben Yale and Kyle
Yurkewicz.

Bradford is scheduled to open the season today at Elk County
Catholic.

ûThe Bradford Era 2007