Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
It was just the third game of the season, but Oley Valley head coach Seth Brizek decided it was time to send a message. After a 4-3 loss at Pequea Valley, the Lynx got off the bus and went straight into the dugout. “I think 90 percent of those kids have never heard an adult talk like that. We have very thick skin now. I try to treat them like adults. I talk to them like adults and they know I love them,” said Brizek. The former Oley Valley and Clemson standout is in his second year at the helm. Brizek is a member of the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. The Lynx haven’t lost since that postgame meeting on March 20th. They defeated Wyomissing 6-3 on Monday for their eighth consecutive victory. “I’m trying to change the culture here at Oley. Always running hard, hustle, talk, communication, and staying in the game no matter if we’re winning or we’re losing,” emphasized Brizek.
Seniors Timmy Fries and Gryffin Cappellano have been the catalysts for the (9-2) Lynx. Fries allowed three runs over 6.1 innings to improve to (5-0). The lefty gave up ten hits with six strikeouts and one walk. The Lebanon Valley College commit has struck out 50 batters and walked just seven in 31.2 innings this season. “It’s very important. All I think about is working ahead. I’m in charge of the at-bat. That’s my mindset,” explained Fries. He tossed a no-hitter with fifteen strikeouts last Wednesday against Brandywine Heights. “That kid is tough as hell. That’s all there is to it. He just bears down and goes at people,” remarked Brizek. Fries is also hitting .500 with a team-high 17 runs and 14 RBI. He has eight extra-base hits, including three triples and a home run. Fries went 2-for-4 on Monday with a triple. He knocked in one run and scored another.
Fries hit a dribbler in front of the plate with two outs in the bottom of the first that brought in sophomore Luke Zimmerman. Fries hammered a triple to center in the third and scored on a groundout to second base by his younger brother Danny. They’re enjoying the experience of being on the same team. “It’s awesome. My parents love it. I love it. I’m soaking in every moment I have with him…I love hanging out with him. I love going to hit with him at night,” said Timmy Fries. Danny, a junior first baseman, was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI against Wyomissing.
Oley Valley tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth for a 4-0 advantage. Following a leadoff walk to Zimmerman, Cappellano stroked a triple to right field. Danny Fries then hit a chopper to the left side of the mound. The third infield single for the Lynx allowed Cappellano to score. The (5-5) Spartans finally got a key hit in the top of the sixth. Sophomore Curran Cirulli launched a two-run double to right-center that made it 4-2. Fries got a strikeout and a pop up to shortstop to end the threat. Cappellano provided some insurance with two outs in the bottom half of the frame. His hard ground ball to third bounced off Cirulli’s foot which resulted in two runs. Cappellano, a Lackawanna College commit, has a lofty .528 batting average this spring. “He’s a dude. He’s always getting after it. Hard ground balls is what we want and that’s what he does…He’s an awesome guy. He’s an awesome player,” replied Fries. Brizek added, “We would be in very big trouble without him.” Cappellano took over on the mound after Fries reached 102 pitches. He struck out Noah and Aaron Rauenzahn to end it.
Noah Rauenzahn, who will continue his career at Alvernia, was charged with six runs, five earned, on eight hits. He went the distance for Wyomissing with four strikeouts and two walks. The senior righty also hit two batters. Rauenzahn reached 100 career strikeouts. Cirulli finished the day 3-for-3. Ryan Graham, Teddy White, and Aaron Rauenzahn had two hits apiece. Graham, a second team All-State selection in Class 3A last year, is 19-for-35 this season.
Oley Valley went (13-8, 7-4) in 2025 and didn’t qualify for the BCIAA playoffs. The Lynx lost 3-1 to eventual champion East Pennsboro in the District 3-4A quarterfinals. Fries has high expectations for this year’s team. “I want to win County’s. I want to do well in District’s and I want to go to the state championship,” he stated.
