Grant Fitzgerald-Kutztown

Grant Fitzgerald will never forget his appearance last season against Brandywine Heights. The senior lefty gave up a tiebreaking home run to Joe Crist in a 7-5 loss to the Bullets. One year later, almost to the day, Fitzgerald got some revenge. He tossed six strong innings and delivered an RBI single in a 4-2 victory over Brandywine Heights on Monday night. Although it’s early in the season, this matchup meant a lot to the Cougars. They were swept by the Bullets in 2021. Brandywine Heights claimed the Division 4 championship, while Kutztown finished (9-12, 4-7). Fitzgerald told me that the chemistry is much better this year and he has big expectations. The southpaw earned his second win in four days. He held Schuylkill Valley to two hits and one earned run in five frames on Friday. Fitzgerald threw 67 pitches in that 8-2 victory. He lasted six innings against the Bullets, limiting them to two runs on six hits. He struck out eight and walked two. Kutztown got on the board first thanks to an RBI double by Dominick Pizzelanti in the second. Brandywine Heights tied it in the fourth on a 2-out, RBI single to left by Jesse Breunig. The senior catcher was an all-division selection last season. He’s one of seven returning starters for the Bullets. They grabbed a 2-1 advantage in the fifth thanks to a 2-out, RBI single by Jaeger Smeltz. The Cougars responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Longtime head coach Tim Mertz called upon Bryce Schafer to pinch-hit after Matt Remick and Nick Hugo opened the frame with singles. Schafer provided a sacrifice fly to right field to knot the game at 2. The big left-handed junior was recently cleared to hit after having shoulder surgery. He’s not yet permitted to play defense. Ian Fenerty followed with a 2-out, RBI double to put Kutztown on top 3-2. Fitzgerald added a bloop RBI single to left. I asked him about his approach versus hard-throwing junior Carson Renner. He replied with a smile, “I was just trying to make contact.” Renner, who was named all-division as a sophomore, was charged with three earned runs on six hits in 4.2 innings. He struck out three, walked two, and hit a batter. His older brother, Chase, is a freshman pitcher at Penn State. Remick threw a hitless seventh inning with two strikeouts for the save. The (3-2, 2-0) Cougars and the (1-3, 0-1) Bullets each had six hits. Hugo was the only player with two hits. The all-division catcher chipped in with a pair of singles. Brandywine Heights committed four errors. Fitzgerald explained his game plan against the Bullets. He believes that he can throw any pitch at any time. Fitzgerald used his curveball and changeup very effectively. He loves playing under the lights at Timothy Breidegam Field. We discussed why he chose Alvernia, and how he ended up a Blue Jays’ fan. Fitzgerald also talked about his favorite teacher at Kutztown, and what type of music he enjoys before a game.