Brentwood baseball eyes improvement under 1st-year coach

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 11:01 AM

The Brentwood baseball team is looking to turn things around in 2026.

Brentwood finished with a 3-9 record in Section 3-2A and 5-13 overall last season.

With six returning starters, first-year coach Dan Krzyzanowski is hoping the Spartans are able to make a strong playoff push this spring.

“We expect to compete closely in every game and secure a playoff spot,” Krzyzanowski said. “We have some returning starters and some exciting young players. We also have a small roster that has allowed us a lot of reps for a limited number of players. The boys have put in a lot of time in preseason.

“We have worked on fundamentals and have developed a mindset. We are excited to see results; we are excited for the season “

Seniors Blaize Dias (P/SS) and Mike O’Leary (P/1B/CF) are Brentwood’s co-captains this season. Dias was the team MVP a year ago as the Spartans’ leading hitter, racking up a .462 batting average. O’Leary and Dias are expected to anchor the pitching staff this year.

Other returning starters consist of senior Gavin Broderick (2B/OF), junior Mike Satler (OF/P/UTIL), and sophomores Tyler McDonald (C/P/OF) and Travis Kuehn (P/OF).

“Gavin Broderick is a three-year letterman who is very versatile. He can play anywhere on the field,” Krzyzanowski said. “Travis Kuehn and Tyler McDonald have varsity pitching experience.”

Krzyzanowski is anticipating that trio of freshman athletes will make a positive impact on the fortunes of the Brentwood baseball team this season.

He is counting on T.J. Winkowski, a catcher/infielder; Evan Schubert, who can play shortstop, third base or pitch; and Vincent O’Leary, an outfielder/utility player, to be impact players at the varsity level.

“Evan Schubert is our swing guy in the middle infield depending who is on the mound,” Krzyzanowski said. “T.J. Winkowski is our catcher.”

Rounding out the team are sophomores Isaac Pontillo (OF), Jason Czerniejewski (1b/C/P) and Andrew Schmidt (3B/OF), and junior Max Brown (OF).

Krzyzanowski is in his first year as the Spartans’ field boss.

“I assisted Greg Perdziola for the last 17 years at Brentwood. I admire his loyalty to the Brentwood community and to the high school program,” Krzyzanowski said. “I have coached multiple teams over the years of all ages. I’m excited for this opportunity to be head coach at the high school I graduated from and played ball for.

“And our new assistant coach Joe Carter has brought excitement to the program. I have known Joe for over 20 years; his dedication is a asset to the program.”

Krzyzanowski’s coaching philosophy ties in baseball with lifetime experiences.

“I want to build a culture of trust in good times and bad,” he said. “I want the boys to develop confidence, become leaders, and aim for goals that make them understand the sky is the limit when you put your mind to it — in baseball and life.”

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart won the Section 3-2A title last season with an 11-1 record and finished as the WPIAL runner-up. OLSH was followed in the final section standings by Riverview (9-3), South Side (9-3), Apollo-Ridge (7-5), Brentwood (3-9), Springdale (3-9) and Carlynton (0-12).

Tags: Brentwood