Last season Brewster finished with an overall record of 7-12-1, but the team got hot in the posteason, making it to the Section 1 Class A semi-finals before losing to Section 1 Class A champ and state semifinalist Lakeland.
Senior pitcher/first baseman Chris Byrnes, a two-time all-section honorable mention player and the Bears' top hitter and pitcher, feels the best is yet to come.
“We graduated a lot of seniors from last year’s team, but we still have a squad that returns a lot of good players and may be potentially better," Byrnes said. "These are kids that I have been playing with for 10 years. I played Little League with these kids growing up so I know everyone’s potential. I know that if we play to our potential, we can be a very good team.”
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Other key returning players for the Bears are senior shortstop Ryan Winch, a three-year starter who is the glue to the infield; senior catcher Adriel Barnes, a three-year starter with a strong arm who is also a good hitter; and senior outfielder/designated hitter Matt Bentson, an excellent hitter who will be counted on to drive in runs.
Also making up the key returnees are senior first baseman/designated hitter Mike Benvenuto, who is a strong hitter; senior second/third baseman Alex Goudey, a steady defensive player with good speed; senior outfielder Korey Keefe, who provides great speed; senior pitcher/outfielder Steve Lepere, who has a strong throwing arm; junior outfielder/pitcher TJ DelFranco, a consistent fielder, who has a strong arm and is a good contact hitter; and senior utility player Jeff Koehler, who also has a solid arm.
The Bears' key newcomers are junior pitcher/infielder Mark Bentson, who will compete for the No. 2 starting pitcher slot; junior outfielder Ray Dann, a strong overall player with good speed and a gap hitter; senior pitcher Sean Mulligan, who will compete for the No. 2 starting pitcher slot; junior outfielder Chris Walters, who can play all three outfield positions; junior designated hitter/firstbaseman Jon Barbara, who is a big, strong hitter; junior infielder Sean Florenz, who will provide defensive depth; senior pitcher/infielder Connor Duffy, who will compete for a relief pitching role; and junior catcher Jacob Battreall, who will provided quality added depth at his position.
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"I like the core we have returning in Byrnes, Winch, and Barnes," Brewster coach Ed Mulvihill said. "Add Matt Bentson, Benvenuto and DelFranco and we should be tough defensively up the middle. I think the middle of our lineup should be tough outs for most teams."
"We have some speed guys we are looking at to put at the top of the order and there are some nice battles for the bottom spots going on," Mulvihill continued. "I think there is a good mix of competition at spots and solid leadership from others."
