Justin
been indispensable behind the plate for the Hawks, throwing out 27 base runners last season and 16 of 36 base runners as a freshman. Offensively he hit .278 with two home runs and 19 RBI with 28 runs scored.
Check out his blog here.
The St. Mary’s (San Antonio, Texas)
baseball program has been one of the most consistent winning
programs over the past two decades, amassing eleven .700+
winning percentage seasons and the Division II National Championship
in 2001. Last season the Rattlers went 38-16 and finished
a single behind the St. Edward’s Hilltoppers for the
Heartland Conference crown. However Head Coach Charlie Migl,
who has guided the Rattlers to 764 wins and 20 winning seasons
in 21 years, will have to be his work cut out for him in 2008
if St. Mary’s plan on continuing their winning ways.
His
team will be without five field starters and three-fourths
of their four starting pitchers from last year’s squad.
Nevertheless, Migl does return one of the most talented players
in DII baseball, junior outfielder Michael Brzezinski.
Brzezinski burst on the diamond as a freshman,
contributing immediately and frequently to the Rattlers’
winning ways. Arriving at St. Mary’s from O’Connor
High School in nearby Helotes, he led the team in batting
with a .405 batting average, the tenth highest average complied
by a St. Mary’s player since 1993. His mark also bested
any other batter in the entire Heartland Conference and ranked
61st in all of DII. Brzezinski also finished in the top 10
in the Heartland in runs (50), triples (3), stolen bases (15),
on-base percentage (.472) and slugging percentage (.525).
He also finished the season strong, racking up a 12-game hit
streak in which he hit .550 with five doubles, nine RBI and
13 runs scored. In recognition of his dazzling debut numbers
he was named the Heartland Freshman of the Year and All-Region.
The sure handed outfielder (only one error
last year) continued where he left off and quickly alleviating
any worry that a sophomore slump was in store. Brzezinski
hit .408 with eight doubles, six triples, eight homeruns,
43 RBI and 64 runs scored. His average placed him 58th in
the nation and his gaudy triple and runs scored numbers also
placed him among county’s elite. His 1.19 runs per game
were good for 33rd in DII and his 0.11 triples per game were
41st. Once again he was recognized as one of the top players
in the South Central Region, earning All-Region status by
the Collegiate Baseball Writers, and first team All-Heartland
honors.
Through his first two seasons Brzezinski
has showed incredible poise and discipline both at the plate
and on the basepaths. He has struck out only 32 times in 342
at bats while accumulating 52 base on balls. After his freshman
season Coach Migl praised Brzezinski’s clutch hitting
ability stating he was “the most clutch hitter we had
on the team last season.” An especially strong compliment
considering Brzezinski’s Rattler teammate John Alvarez
was the Heartland Conference Player of the Year. Furthermore,
in 28 career base stealing attempts, the fleet footed Brzezinski
has only been denied the extra base only once.
“He’s fast, smart, and works
hard every day to become a better outfielder,” stated
Migl about Brzezinski, “I expect that he will continue
to get better and better over the rest of his time here.”
His
team will be without five field starters and three-fourths
of their four starting pitchers from last year’s squad.
Nevertheless, Migl does return one of the most talented players
in DII baseball, junior outfielder Michael Brzezinski.
