Brandywine sweep nets program’s 900th victory

Published 7:41 am Friday, April 12, 2019

NILES — A non-conference regular season doubleheader sweep may not always capture a big headline, but in the case of the Brandywine baseball team, Tuesday was not your regular season doubleheader.

The Bobcats defeated host Constantine 5-1 and 9-2 to earn the program’s 899 and 900th wins.

“I feel very honored to be the coach of the Brandywine team to get the programs 900th win,” said veteran coach David Sidenbender. “It goes to show the talent and hard work Brandywine has had over a long period of time in baseball. I am the seventh coach all-time in Brandywine history dating back to our first season in 1962. And to be a part of something like this is very special.”

Sidenbender’s Bobcats have won 366 of those games.

Chuck Hurdle is the all-time leader in victories with 461. Hurdle coached Brandywine from 1971 until he retired in 2000.

His Brandywine team won the 1987 Class C state championship.

Also coaching the Bobcats since their inception were Don Knox (1962-63), Tom Roberts (1964), Gary Adams (1965-66), Rich Hill (1967-68) and Dave Rose (1969-70).

Brandywine used a four-run third inning to win the opening game, while it scored three runs in the first and four more in the second to take the nightcap.

In the first game, Ty Mickiewicz picked up the victory with Cam Barrier earning the save by pitching the seventh inning.

Brandywine had eight hits in the contest, including doubles by Barrier and Mickiewicz.

In the nightcap, Barrier earned the victory with Brock Prenkert picking up the save after coming on in relief in the third innings.

The Bobcats (4-0) had nine hits, including a double by Prenkert.

The game stopped after five innings due to darkness.

“I thought we played pretty good defense and threw strikes for the most part,” Sidenbender said. “Did some good situational hitting as well. Ty Mickiewicz had a real good day overall.”

Niles baseball

Visiting Niles only managed four hits in a 10-0 loss to Mishawaka Marian Tuesday.

The Vikings (0-2) allowed 10 hits to the Knights, including doubles by Mike Gibson and Jordan Tirotta.

Cole Simpson took the loss for Niles. Kade Wagley and Jadon Hainey also took the hill for the Vikings, who were scheduled to return to action Thursday as they headed to Battle Creek Lakeview for a SMAC non-divisional doubleheader.

Those games were postponed.