Roebuck intent on returning Brownsville to WPIAL playoffs
Something was amiss in Brownsville last spring. For only the second time in the last eight years, the Falcons were not in the WPIAL baseball playoffs. But with 11 lettermen, including six seniors, returning for coach Skooter Roebuck, Brownsville is intent on earning another post-season berth.
In Roebuck’s 12 seasons at Brownsville, his Falcons have won three section titles and have been in the playoffs eight years. Brownsville was an uncharacteristic 7-13 overall, 5-7 in Section 2-AA last year. In 1999 Brownsville was Class AA runner-up, falling to Waynesburg Central in the title game.
“Even though we are not overly loaded with seniors, we have kids back with varsity experience,” Roebuck said. “Some of our young kids got a lot of playing time last year and learned from our mistakes.”
But for the Falcons to contend for a playoff berth, “Pitching has to come through,” Roebuck said. “We have an opening day starter and our pitching rotation is better, but we are looking for numbers 2-3 to win some games. We have more kids coming up and have a deeper staff than we did last year.”
With spring practice just underway, Roebuck has enough veterans to settle in on a tentative lineup, led by projected opening day starting pitcher Mike Rhoads, a 6-2, 190-pound right-handed senior who will also play shortstop and third base and hit in the cleanup spot.
“Mike has a lot of ability and promise,” Roebuck said. “He has good location and spots the ball well. He has an above average fastball, throwing in the mid-80s, and a good curve.”
Rhoads’ battery mate will be senior Justin Gibson, who batted .390 last year and led the Falcons with 18 runs batted in. Slated to bat third and “be in the mix on the mound,” Gibson has a nice arm and good release and is above average in getting the ball to second base. He started every game as junior.
Returning for his second year as the Falcons’ leadoff batter will be senior centerfielder Nick Eadie, who batted .404 as a junior.
Batting from the left side, “Nick is a contact hitter and gets on base,” Roebuck said. “He sprays the ball around and, with his speed, can bunt for a base hit.”
Junior second baseman Craig Novak is penciled in to either bat behind Eadie or in the sixth slot. Novak settled in as the Falcons’ regular second baseman midway through last season and responded by batting .390 and turning in a solid performance on defense.
“Craig gets good at bats, puts the ball in play and gets on base,” Roebuck noted. “On defense he will be a big part of our double play combination.”
In the fifth slot in the lineup will be junior right fielder Mike Michalsky, who batted .352 as a sophomore. At 6-2, 195 pounds, Michalsky has “doubles-and-triples power and is expected to add some pop to the lineup.”
Behind Rhoads and Gibson on the mound will be sophomore Brian Ohler, who lettered as a freshman pitcher last year. At 6-1, 180 pounds, Ohler not only has good velocity, but also “a pitcher’s mentality,” Roebuck added. “He knows what he’s doing on the mound. If he gives up a hit, it doesn’t bother him. He focuses on the next batter.”
Although Brownsville has “some quality people returning, we don’t have anyone expected to hit a lot of home runs,” Roebuck said. “We’ll have to work to score. We’ll have to bunt and run and manufacture runs any way we can.”
Competing in a “well-balanced section,” Roebuck expects two-time section winner Washington to lead the way, with Charleroi, Beth-Center and Waynesburg Central adding to the balance.
“Our goal every year is to make the playoffs,” Roebuck said, “and we plan to be in contention.”
Brownsville is scheduled to open exhibition play March 23-24 in the four-team Belle Vernon tournament. Charleroi will visit the Falcons April 2 to begin section play.