CURWENSVILLE—-The Golden Tide of Curwensville will have a new mentor this year as long time head baseball Coach Bear Stewart stepped down after the 2006 season. Ryan Briskar takes over Curwensville’s baseball fortunes following a 21 year tenure for Stewart of which 18 were as head coach. Briskar had served as a volunteer coach at Curwensville in 2005 before becoming a paid assistant last year. He adds that “ Coach Stewart brought a lot to the baseball program here at Curwensville. Trying to replace what he meant to the kids and what he brought to the program will be very difficult.”
The Tide are set to open their season at home Monday against West Branch and as Briskar said, “There are a lot of holes to fill with losing 6 seniors from last years squad.” Curwensville’s starting nine isn’t quite set yet but a number of underclassmen will need to step forward in a hurry. Coach Briskar echoed this by saying “The coaches and I are very pleased with the overall competitiveness of the team as they push one another for starting positions.”
Briskar feels the Tide’s pitching is a strength in saying “We have a solid pitching staff from what I have seen in pre-season thus far.” Seniors Erik Martell, Nate McGary, Justin McGary along with juniors Justin Johnston and Brett McCracken will be on the mound. Also seeing some pitching duties will be sophomores Jesse Hoover and Ben McGary. Sophomore Cory Bloom is behind the plate. Coach Briskar also sees a plus when talking about his infield. “We have several utility infielders who are interchangeable depending on who is on the mound for us,” said Briskar. Seniors Evan Olson, Justin McGary and juniors Andrew Straw, Brett McCracken and Trevor Horton will be in the infield. Sophomores Hoover and Mark Dellantonio are also in the mix to see playing time in the Tide’s infield.
The Tide’s outfield will have seniors Brandon Hess, Joe Bloom and Nate McGary along with sophomore Ben McGary and freshman Sam Gardner sharing duties.
Every first year coach has high expectations and Briskar is no different as he stated his own, “Showing improvement is always an expectation for any team. I also feel that this squad can compete for the Moshannon Valley league title and hopefully gain a spot in the District 9 playoffs.”
Briskar has a number of coaches to help him in his first season at the helm. Mike Sutika, Mike Davidson and Cory Bailor are paid assistant coaches. Chris Bailor, Brett Hoover, Tom Harzinski and Adam McGary are helping out as volunteer assistants.
The Golden Tide are also conducting a baseball clinic at Curwensville High School on Saturday, March 31st.
All coaches and players ages 7 and up are welcome. The age group 7 to 11 will be from 10 am until 12 noon with the ages 12 and up from 1 pm to 3 pm. The cost is only $15 per player. Call Coach Briskar at 553-1158 or Coach Sutika at 236-1013 for more details.
ROSTER
SENIORS-Joe Bloom-LF, Brandon Hess-RF, Erik Martell-P, Justin McGary-3B/P, Nate McGary-RF/P and Evan Olson-2B.
JUNIORS-Trevor Horton-1B, Justin Johnston-P, Brett McCracken-SS/P, Brandon Miller, Joe Rowles and Andrew Straw-3B.
SOPHOMORES-Cory Bloom-C, Derek Dixon, Mark Dellantonio-2B, Jesse Hoover-SS/1B/P, Tyler Johns,
Ethan Makin, Zakkere McCartney, Ben McGary, Heath McCracken, Nick Opaliski, John Rancik, Tanner Shope, Andrew Starr and Jeff Thomas.
FRESHMAN-Sam Gardner-CF/LF, Wes McGarry, Richie Michael, Jonathan Michaels, Anthony Starr and Brett Sutika.
SCHEDULE (HOME GAMES -CAPS)
MARCH 26 – WEST BRANCH (4); 30 – MOSHANNON VALLEY (4).
APRIL 3 – at brockway (4:15); 5 – BROOKVILLE (4:15); 9 – at clearfield (4);
11 – at elk county catholic (4:15); 16 – at glendale (4); 17 – DUBOIS CENTRAL CATHOLIC (4:15);
20 – at moshannon valley (4); 23 – RIDGWAY (4:15); 25 – at st. mary’s (4:15).
MAY 1 – GLENDALE (4); 3 – BROCKWAY (4:15); 5 – at brookville (4:15);
7 – ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC (4:15); 8 – at west branch (4:30); 14- HARMONY-DH (4);
15 – at dubois central catholic (4:15); 17 – at ridgway (4:15).