GBN Sophomore Baseball Finally Hits the Field

With the snow still sitting on the ground outside and the frigid temperatures through much of this month, we would hardly believe baseball season is upon us.  However, spring training is in full force in Arizona and Florida and local high school baseball is underway.  While the late cold spell has delayed the season for most teams in the area, it has not stopped teams from practicing indoors and honing their baseball timing skills.  The Glenbrook North Sophomore Baseball Team is no exception as they have been training indoors since late February readying for the 2013 season.  In most spring seasons, GBN and other high school programs are among the first teams to actually play outdoors in the Chicago area.  In fact, the hardy and tough high school players even begin play outdoors before the Cubs and the White Sox in Chicago.

This season the GBN sophomore team hopes to establish a strong lineup, reliable and dominant pitching, and iron tight defense.  The majority of last years top performing players continue to create a special team of talented players with phenomenal baseball instincts.  Pitching is certainly one of the strongest aspects to the team with ten reliable pitchers to call upon at any time for inninngs.  Starting pitching this season will be anchored by David Burnside, Jared Epstein, Brice Call, and Brandon Labunski.  Coming on in relief will be hard throwing right hander, Danny Ahern, who had to miss most of his freshman season with a fractured hand suffered during an early game last year.  Other relief throughout the season will also be provided by Sage Bruhl, Robert Stocking, Peter Koulegeorge, Harrison Solano, and Noah Gaffen.  Certainly Coach Izenstark loves the problem he has this season with his stable of reliable pitchers. 

In addition, the potent line up of the sophmore team returns many of the starters from last year's freshman squad including lead off hitter, Sage Bruhl, who will also captain the infield at shortstop.  Providing pop and speed in the line-up will also be Brice Call, David Burnside, and Jared Epstein.  Jerry Park will assume most of the catching duties this year with Ben Pfaff functioning in a back up role.  Brandon Labunski is providing some formidable punch in the middle of the line-up and has a knack for driving in runs during clutch moments of a game.  Toward the bottom of the order, the hitters are certainly not any less dangerous and have the ability to drive the baseball with authority and for power at any moment.  Robert Stocking, Danny Ahern, Peter Witty, and Harrison Solano fill out the rest of the batting line-up. Frequently, the team will also get excellent contributions from Justin Tucker, Noah Gaffen, Matt Brown, Peter Koulegeorge, Sam Nyren, and other excellent talent filling out this special team for 2013. 

While the season is early and only two games have been played, the team looks poised to have a successful season and should compete for the Central Suburban League title in the sophmore division. 

This week the GBN boys have dropped two early games to Brother Rice 6-2 and Nazareth 4-3.  In the Nazareth game Brice Call pitched 4 strong innings only giving up one earned run and striking out 5.  Coming on in relief, Danny Ahern threw 3 innings giving up two runs as well.  It was a very positive showing for both of the young talents, especially Ahern who missed most of last season.  Labunski got the early scoring going with lead off walk and then was advanced to second and scored on line shot by Ahern.  Through most of the game, both teams played one another close and Nazareth lead in the top half of the seventh 3-1.  However, never willing to concede, the team began a seventh inning rally started by Epstein with a lead off single.  He then stole second on a ball thrown in the dirt.  Brandon Labunski hit a hard liner and scored Epstein to make the game 3-2.  Labunski was pitch run for by Noah Gaffen and Gaffen came around to tie the game on a bases loaded walk given up to Peter Witty.  Unfortunately, they were not able to hold the lead and gave up the win in the bottom half of the seventh with close play at the plate. 

Although both games ended with losses, Coach Izenstark feels positive about the boys chances this season and appreciated their strong effort tonight and resolve to play through adversity.  The GBN sophomore teams suits up again on Saturday at the GBN varsity field to play Cary Grove.  Game time is 10:30 for the first of two games.