Coach says young team brings experience with it
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
There isn’t any way around the fact that the East Troy High School baseball team is an extremely young squad this spring.
With just one senior and five freshmen on the roster, that’s an undeniable fact.
But it also doesn’t mean the Trojans don’t have high expectations.
“We are a very young team with a lot of potential,” fifth-year coach Rick Brandner said. “(There is) a lot of experience with our freshmen class having played four years together on the same travel team.
“Our youth is our benefit, but there will be a learning curve that they need to overcome.”
Brandner will lean on his only senior, Jon Ciriacks (third base-pitcher) to lead the rest of the young squad. Ciriacks was a first-team, All-Rock Valley Conference pick a year ago.
Also back after he earned All-RVC honorable mention recognition is junior Logan Mitchell (centerfield).
Sophomores on the roster are Jacob Ruffalo (infield), Brendan Sullivan (infield-pitcher), Brandon Bakken (third base-pitcher), Andrew Gross (second base-pitcher) and Roman Evans (outfield-pitcher).
The five freshmen with the varsity are Mike Rosin (shortstop-pitcher), Kyle Lehman (outfield-pitcher), Ben Gerber (catcher-pitcher), Jim Taylor (catcher-third base), Nate Reyes (first base-pitcher).
Brandner, who is assisted by Johnny Gomez with the varsity and Jim Talbert with the JV, said he wants his team to just take things day by day.
“(We) just (want) to keep continuing to work hard and improve throughout the season,” he said.
Looking at the RVC North, Brandner said defending champion Jefferson, which was 14-2 a year ago, and Whitewater, which was 12-4, should be among the teams to watch again this spring.
The immediate goal for his team, Brandner said, is to improve on last year, which will take “great attitudes on the team and a tremendous work ethic,” he said.
Off to a great start
East Troy recorded a pair of victories last week, as it defeated Big Foot 12-3 and Clinton 10-4 to open the year at 2-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
In the win over Big Foot, the Trojans banged out 11 hits, led Gerber with four and Mitchell with two. Evans and Taylor both drove in a team-high two runs for the Trojans.
Sullivan picked up the win, as he allowed six hits, one earned run, two walks and struck out six in four innings. Evans allowed one walk and one unearned run in the final inning.
East Troy scored in its first five at bats in the 10-4 win over Clinton on Friday. The Trojans broke open a close game with three runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth.
Leaders included Evans (two hits, two runs, RBI), Gerber (two hits, two runs) and Rosin (two runs). East Troy had 11 stolen bases, including two each by Ciriacks and Evans.
Evans earned the win in relief, as he allowed six hits, two earned runs, one walk and struck out two in three innings of work. Lehman started the game, and allowed six hits, two earned runs, two walks and struck out two in four innings.
