Indiana University Athletics
Brenczewski, Stadler Rise to Baseball Challenge
4/18/2024 4:00:00 PM | Baseball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Opportunity comes and Joey Brenczewski and Jake Stadler don't flinch. This is why they're Indiana Hoosiers -- to play, to contribute and to help deliver baseball victories.
Boy, have they done that.
Both are in the starting lineup because of teammates' injuries. Both had big roles in series victories over Maryland and Penn State that boosted IU into the thick of the Big Ten race with a 5-4 record heading into a weekend series at Minnesota (3-6).
"Give credit to these young guys who haven't played a lot, but who are capable," coach Jeff Mercer says. "They're very good workers. They're very professional in their drill work and the way they accept coaching, and teaching and instruction. When you have guys who are steady, stable, under control and coachable, you can get them better."
Let's start with Brenczewski, a redshirt freshman who was a one-man wrecking crew in Sunday's 12-3 win over Penn State. He went 4-for-5 with his first two college home runs, including a grand slam. He finished with seven runs batted in.
Only two other Hoosiers have had a seven-RBI game in the last 20 years -- Matt Lloyd in 2019 and Matthew Ellis in 2022. No IU freshman has done it in that span -- until now.
Brenczewski's second four-hit game in recent weeks helped lift his average to .337, which is third on the team behind Nick Mitchell (.350) and Tyler Cerny (.346).
He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after a big series at Maryland, going 6-for-16 with six RBI and seven runs scored.
Not bad for a guy who missed multiple months last fall with a hand injury and who was switched from shortstop to first base because of the injury to veteran standout Brock Tibbitts. Mercer calls Tibbitts as one of the best players IU has had in the last 10 to 15 years. An injury to catcher AJ Shepard added to the urgency.
"With the hand injury and learning a new position," Mercer says, "it's been a lot. We've always liked him offensively. We've tried to find him a home defensively. That got expedited with the injuries to Shepard and Tibbitts."
Brenczewski's success comes from perspective.
"There's no reason to heighten the situation," he says. "I stick with that approach. That's where the success comes from, the approach. There's no reason to get out of that."
Brenczewski arrived in Bloomington with significant expectations. He was a standout shortstop at Fishers High School near Indianapolis who was rated as the state's No. 11 overall prospect by Perfect Game.
Beyond that, baseball runs deep in his family. His father, Brett, played at St. Joseph's University. Older brother Caleb played at Lipscomb and Indiana Wesleyan. Another brother, Kiel, plays at Navy.
Add it up and Brenczewski was ready for this opportunity. As for the fact it came because of Tibbitts' injury, Brenczewski adds, "It stinks that Brock went down. He's a big mentor for me. He's taught me a lot about playing first base. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help my team win."
Opportunity comes with this twist -- Tibbitts, who is hitting .336 with three homers and 32 runs batted in, is expected to return in the near future. When he does, figure Mercer will adjust to keep to Brenczewski in the lineup.
Then there's Stadler, a former Purdue Boilermaker making the most of his Hoosier opportunity. The redshirt junior is hitting .297 with a home run and 20 runs batted in. That's a huge improvement from last season, when he had just one hit in 29 at bats.
Success starts by staying steady no matter the situation.
"For me, it doesn't change a lot. I have the same mentality in every at bat. It's more mano e mano with me and the pitcher. If guys are on base, I don't feel a change in my approach. It's more reading the situation and determine the pitch and location. Trying to stay low through the middle of the field has worked for me."
A foundation was set through fall and winter training.
"That played a big role," he says. "So did being in the weight room. I've done a lot of mobility, a lot of stretching. By not playing a lot last year, my body has not had a big toll. I feel great and ready to go."
As a catcher, handling the pitching staff is crucial. Stadler says he sees IU pitchers developing a mental edge critical to Big Ten success.Â
"Working with them has been a pleasure. It's great to see them finding their stride. Hopefully they continue with that."
Mercer was hoping for big things when he recruited Stadler, in part because of his work ethic.
"Look at Jake's transition from his previous school. Give him credit. He's talented and capable and believes in himself. He's (basically) hitting .300 in the middle of the lineup. He has had multiple two-out hits and big hits, big plays. He's a guy who didn't have a great offensive year last year. He came in and changed his swing and bought into a different system. He invested and believed in himself, and it's paid off.
"Jake's ability to step in and step up was critical."
While Tuesday's 5-4 home loss to Evansville blunted Hoosier momentum, it did reflect IU's improved pitching. It has held five of its last seven opponents to six or fewer runs.
The Hoosiers are tied with Ohio State for fifth in the Big Ten standings with 5-4 records. Illinois leads at 7-2 record, just ahead of Nebraska (6-3), Purdue (8-4) and Michigan (8-4).
Mercer continues to stress consistency and stringing together strong performances. He wants leadership by word and action. Mostly, though, he wants the Hoosiers to have fun.
"Let's just go play. Show enthusiasm and energy."
IUHoosiers.com
Â
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Opportunity comes and Joey Brenczewski and Jake Stadler don't flinch. This is why they're Indiana Hoosiers -- to play, to contribute and to help deliver baseball victories.
Boy, have they done that.
Both are in the starting lineup because of teammates' injuries. Both had big roles in series victories over Maryland and Penn State that boosted IU into the thick of the Big Ten race with a 5-4 record heading into a weekend series at Minnesota (3-6).
"Give credit to these young guys who haven't played a lot, but who are capable," coach Jeff Mercer says. "They're very good workers. They're very professional in their drill work and the way they accept coaching, and teaching and instruction. When you have guys who are steady, stable, under control and coachable, you can get them better."
Let's start with Brenczewski, a redshirt freshman who was a one-man wrecking crew in Sunday's 12-3 win over Penn State. He went 4-for-5 with his first two college home runs, including a grand slam. He finished with seven runs batted in.
Only two other Hoosiers have had a seven-RBI game in the last 20 years -- Matt Lloyd in 2019 and Matthew Ellis in 2022. No IU freshman has done it in that span -- until now.
Brenczewski's second four-hit game in recent weeks helped lift his average to .337, which is third on the team behind Nick Mitchell (.350) and Tyler Cerny (.346).
He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after a big series at Maryland, going 6-for-16 with six RBI and seven runs scored.
Not bad for a guy who missed multiple months last fall with a hand injury and who was switched from shortstop to first base because of the injury to veteran standout Brock Tibbitts. Mercer calls Tibbitts as one of the best players IU has had in the last 10 to 15 years. An injury to catcher AJ Shepard added to the urgency.
"With the hand injury and learning a new position," Mercer says, "it's been a lot. We've always liked him offensively. We've tried to find him a home defensively. That got expedited with the injuries to Shepard and Tibbitts."
Brenczewski's success comes from perspective.
"There's no reason to heighten the situation," he says. "I stick with that approach. That's where the success comes from, the approach. There's no reason to get out of that."
Brenczewski arrived in Bloomington with significant expectations. He was a standout shortstop at Fishers High School near Indianapolis who was rated as the state's No. 11 overall prospect by Perfect Game.
Beyond that, baseball runs deep in his family. His father, Brett, played at St. Joseph's University. Older brother Caleb played at Lipscomb and Indiana Wesleyan. Another brother, Kiel, plays at Navy.
Add it up and Brenczewski was ready for this opportunity. As for the fact it came because of Tibbitts' injury, Brenczewski adds, "It stinks that Brock went down. He's a big mentor for me. He's taught me a lot about playing first base. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help my team win."
Opportunity comes with this twist -- Tibbitts, who is hitting .336 with three homers and 32 runs batted in, is expected to return in the near future. When he does, figure Mercer will adjust to keep to Brenczewski in the lineup.
Then there's Stadler, a former Purdue Boilermaker making the most of his Hoosier opportunity. The redshirt junior is hitting .297 with a home run and 20 runs batted in. That's a huge improvement from last season, when he had just one hit in 29 at bats.
Success starts by staying steady no matter the situation.
"For me, it doesn't change a lot. I have the same mentality in every at bat. It's more mano e mano with me and the pitcher. If guys are on base, I don't feel a change in my approach. It's more reading the situation and determine the pitch and location. Trying to stay low through the middle of the field has worked for me."
A foundation was set through fall and winter training.
"That played a big role," he says. "So did being in the weight room. I've done a lot of mobility, a lot of stretching. By not playing a lot last year, my body has not had a big toll. I feel great and ready to go."
As a catcher, handling the pitching staff is crucial. Stadler says he sees IU pitchers developing a mental edge critical to Big Ten success.Â
"Working with them has been a pleasure. It's great to see them finding their stride. Hopefully they continue with that."
Mercer was hoping for big things when he recruited Stadler, in part because of his work ethic.
"Look at Jake's transition from his previous school. Give him credit. He's talented and capable and believes in himself. He's (basically) hitting .300 in the middle of the lineup. He has had multiple two-out hits and big hits, big plays. He's a guy who didn't have a great offensive year last year. He came in and changed his swing and bought into a different system. He invested and believed in himself, and it's paid off.
"Jake's ability to step in and step up was critical."
While Tuesday's 5-4 home loss to Evansville blunted Hoosier momentum, it did reflect IU's improved pitching. It has held five of its last seven opponents to six or fewer runs.
The Hoosiers are tied with Ohio State for fifth in the Big Ten standings with 5-4 records. Illinois leads at 7-2 record, just ahead of Nebraska (6-3), Purdue (8-4) and Michigan (8-4).
Mercer continues to stress consistency and stringing together strong performances. He wants leadership by word and action. Mostly, though, he wants the Hoosiers to have fun.
"Let's just go play. Show enthusiasm and energy."
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