A defining year for junior Tim Brennan

Since freshman year, junior pitcher Tim Brennan has developed his game on the mound through solid preparation, consistent guidance and a love for the game.

Coming into junior year, Brennan wanted to establish himself as an even more dominant player in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Brennan emphasizes his constant focus and preparation throughout the game.  Brennan discussed how the first step of preparation is leadership.

“This year was a big step for me,” Brennan said. “As I began to grow and mature, I realized that being a more vocal leader could enhance the team’s success on and off the field.”

Brennan emphasized how leading his team seems easy, but it is a tough job.

“The best quality of a leader is not caring if they are liked, but trying to demand respect,” Brennan said.

In Brennan’s mind, after leadership comes the actual physical and mental preparation and focus before each game and practice. If an athlete is talented, he said, there is a natural obligation to work hard at improving their skill set.

“As a baseball player, you can only throw so many balls,” Brennan said. “It’s not like basketball where you can put up 1000 shots. There is a limited number of chances to get better. The amount of focus I have helps me get more out of myself as a player.”

Brennan’s work ethic and preparation does not go unnoticed by his coaches and teammates. Head coach Fritz Hamburg recognizes Brennan’s constant work ethic on and off the field.

“Tim is driven to be great and has certainly had a nice career here,” Hamburg said. “Tim has definitely got a lot going for him in the future, and we want to see him succeed.”

Hamburg emphasized his respect for Brennan as an athlete but more importantly as a person. He also discusses the importance of pairing talent with a solid work ethic.

Brennan describes his pregame ritual as being “pretty typical.”  Before each game, he likes to listen to the same playlist, as most players also do, but he also likes to dribble a basketball or shoot free throws before a game to get loose and feel warm.

This season, Brennan has focused on changing his game a bit. Playing in Cape Cod league last summer has  improved his ability as a ball player. He has developed himself into more of a strikeout pitcher as opposed to a ground ball pitcher.

“A strikeout pitcher does not give the hitters a chance to put the ball in play,” Brennan said. “If you give guys a chance to make contact then errors could be made and guys get on. Striking a guy out gives them zero chance of getting on.”

Brennan has made a giant step this year in improving his game. Going into this week, he currently has only two walks and 33 strike outs. While facing Florida International University last week, Brennan went into the ninth inning with only 67 pitches. His fastball ranges from low to mid 90’s with a lot of movement.

Hamburg said Brennan’s playing gives hope  to the team.

“Every Friday when he pitches, we all know we have a great chance to win,” Hamburg said. “When guys like that are on the mound, everyone plays better and Tim always gives a great start..

Brennan’s main goal is to win an Atlantic 10 championship with his team. He also hopes to become the A-10  conference Pitcher of the Year and get drafted after his junior year.

Brennan and his teammates will next  play three conference games against La Salle University in Philadelphia, from March 28 to March 31.