Last spring, Berkshire was relatively inexperienced and finished the year with a 6-14 record overall and a 4-8 mark in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division.
The Badgers return seven starters from that squad and enter the 2023 season with much higher expectations.
“In 2022, we were an inexperienced baseball team, talented but didn’t know how to win games,” said Berkshire coach Nick Burzanko. “With those lumps and bumps we grew as a program, and it sets us up this year to make some noise in the CVC Valley. We are returning seven starters who played and got better throughout the season and that showed with a win in the sectional semifinal against United. We have some underclassmen who will provide some solid depth to our lineup and pitching rotation.”
Berkshire’s baseball program historically has been one of the top teams in the Valley Division.
With last year’s bumps and bruises out of the way, the Badgers are ready to once again make a run at the conference title.
“We have all the pieces,” Burzanko said. “With many baseball players on the football team–winning a share of the CVC–that taste of success should translate nicely to the ball diamond. Postseason-wise, we feel we have three above-average high school pitchers to allow us to make a run. All you can ask for is a ticket to the dance. Once you get that, you control your own destiny. We feel on any given day, we can compete with anyone.”
Another advantage the Badgers have this spring is their new turf football field.
In the past, when the weather warmed up enough to head outside early in the preseason, the Badgers were still limited by the condition of the infield and outfield grass.
This year, Berkshire took advantage of those warm days by practicing outside on the turf field.
“Naturally, in Northeast Ohio, one of our biggest competitors is the weather. We have been fortunate enough to have a very mild winter, which has allowed us to get more time outside than last year at this time,” Burzanko said. “In saying that, with the construction of our new school and turf football field, we have been able to go outside on 50-degree days and not be in a soupy outfield/infield, which has already shown benefits with our players’ arm strength, fielding, and defensive abilities improving.”
Among Berkshire’s top returning players is senior Jack Jacobs.
The left-handed pitcher and first baseman is the ace of the staff with a fastball topping out in the mid-80s.
“(Jack) has put in all the work this offseason to take the next step,” Burzanko said. “He has developed a third and fourth pitch to complement his fastball and curveball. As a sophomore, he batted .333 and had an ERA of 2.23. As a junior, he batted .340 and had an ERA of 1.21. He has improved every year and we expect that trend to continue.”
Jacobs is just one of the talented pitchers the Badgers will post up against the opposition this season.
Senior lefty Maxwell Janssen has plenty of big-game experience dating back to his five scoreless innings thrown in a district championship game in 2021. He’ll provide the Badgers with another lefty to keep opposing hitters off balance. When he’s not pitching, he’ll play first base or left field.
“Maxwell is our No. 2 starter,” Burzanko said. “As a sophomore, he pitched five innings in a district final and gave up zero runs–we won 1-0. He has all the tools to be a great pitcher and left fielder. He throws in the mid-70s, but his herkie-jerky motion makes it seem like 80. There are not many schools in the CVC or Northeast Ohio who can say their No. 2 has pitched under the pressure of a district final.”
Newcomer Ethan Martin, a junior who transferred from NDCL, also will chew up a lot of innings while providing depth at first base and in the outfield.
“Ethan has transferred back to the school district to join his childhood friends to represent the community in which he resides,” Burzanko said. “We cannot be happier as a program. He is a great kid with tremendous pop. He has an arsenal of pitches that reminds us of Yu Darvish. We look forward to him representing Purple and Gold this spring.”
Senior Troy Hornak has locked down the No. 4 spot in Berkshire’s pitching rotation. The righty also will play second base.
“This will be Troy’s second year playing varsity baseball,” Burzanko said. “He is one of our hardest workers. Troy the type of kid who could come home dirty on an all-turf field. Every team needs a Troy Hornak on their team, and we are pleased he is on our side.”
The Badgers have a strong defense to complement their pitching staff.
Senior Joey Czekaj is slotted to start in right field. He can also play in the infield and will pitch some innings in relief.
“Joey is your classic team leader,” Burzanko said. “His season was cut short last year by injury. He is a Jack-of-all-trades, willing to do whatever it takes to win. We will use Joey all over the ball diamond this year.”
Martin will play first and classmates Miles Miller and Louie Filby round out the infield at shortstop and third base, respectively.
“Miles played meaningful baseball as a freshman and sophomore. He is a very talented athlete who excels at many sports at Berkshire. He is your classic quarterback, point guard, and shortstop. Miles has the never give up attitude you need, especially in a sport such as baseball as you could be 0-2, but if you get a hit in your next at-bat, 1-3 could mean you’re first team All-CVC,” Burzanko said. “Louie is a shy kid with a cannon for an arm. He is very raw. With the playing experience he got last year at third base, we expect big things from him this year. He has great pop off his bat and is a real doubles machine.”
Junior Jack Hastings will patrol center field.
“Jack was our No. 9 hitter last year and it wasn’t for a lack of talent,” Burzanko said. “We looked at him as our second leadoff hitter. It took a little while to get used to but by the end of the year, he started to really hit his stride. In our tournament game, the Champion coach made sure to point out that he was the best No. 9 hitter he had seen all year. He made a big jump on the basketball court earning first-team all-conference. We look forward to him making the same jump on the ball diamond.”
Freshman Patrick Brancel will start behind the dish and also see some time on the hill.
“Patrick’s future is very bright,” Burzanko said. “He is a five-tool player with the mindset always to get better. He’s a coach’s dream. He will bring overwhelming calmness behind the plate.”
With more experience and talent up and down the lineup, the Badgers look to get back to their winning ways.
To do that, they’ll have to get back to playing Berkshire baseball.
“For Berkshire to be successful this season, we must do three key things,” Burzanko said. “First, pound the zone. Returning seven starters, we have the luxury of solid defense behind our pitchers. Our No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers have been pitching at the varsity level since their sophomore year, which has allowed them to grow and understand how to pitch to hitters and why. Second, putting the ball in play. One of our bugaboos last year was striking out. There was a multitude of reasons for that. It was something we had to deal with head-on. Our goal this year is to put the ball in play. If you put the ball in play good things are going to happen. Third, baseball knowledge. This might sound weird to most, but we have a great group of kids who love the game, who know the game, and who want to get better every day. Having kids who are willing to take the knowledge they have learned over the years and apply it to their everyday game, that’s something you cannot replicate. Our baseball IQ will win us a few games this year and that could be the difference in winning the CVC or getting a bye in the first round of the state tournament.”
