Gavin Braunecker Signs To Play College Baseball

Gavin Braunecker (center, back row) signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Bellarmine University. Looking on are, front row, left to right, Avery Gardewine, Elizabeth Braunecker, Avery Braunecker, Micah McWhorter and Aidan Braunecker. Back row, left to right, Cole Braunecker, Gavin Braunecker and Matt Braunecker.

Gavin Braunecker admits he was born into a baseball family and now he's taking that love of the game on to the next level. Braunecker, a senior at Effingham St. Anthony High School, will be attending Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. to play college baseball.

"I was pretty much born into the game with my dad having played college baseball and my two older brothers also played," said Braunecker. "My first real taste of competitive baseball came when Ron Webb started "The Future" travel team at around age eight.

"Throughout playing I've had some great coaches and played with some great players. My coaches have all helped me to get where I am today and they include Ron Webb, my dad, Corey Guy, Coach Koenig and Coach Kreke. However, my parents have been the biggest helpers of getting me to the position I am in now. My dad has taught me countless things about the game and is always willing to put in time with me to help me train. My mom has been a huge supporter of mine and has gone to every game she could and is always there for me when I need her.

"Finally, my teammates I've had along the years really make moving on to a new school tough. I have enjoyed playing with each one of them and they all have different aspects about themselves that make playing with them such a fun experience."

However Braunecker and his teammates missed the spring season due to the COVID-19 virus.

Braunecker is a left-handed pitcher.

"This past fall I was selected to the All-National Trail Conference team along with my teammate Kaden Fearday," said Gavin. "Which was a very awesome feeling and accomplishment in my opinion because this conference has some really good talent,"

Braunecker talked about why he chose Bellarmine University.

"When I made my visit there, the comradery that the team showed was very eye-opening and something that made me feel comfortable about potentially going there. Also, they have a coaching staff that I think will really help develop me to try to take my talents even further than the collegiate level."

Braunecker, who will major in Communications/Journalism, talked about his strengths and what he needs to work on to play at the college level.

"I think I just need to work on getting stronger and adding velocity without sacrificing accuraracy and consistenty," said Braunecker. 

"I think of myself as a competitior. I don't throw the hardest in the area, I don't have the best curveball, but every time I get the ball, I want to attack and prove I'm one of the better pitchers in this area. I think that comes from confidence given to me by my coaches and teammates who all believe in me."

Wil there be baseball after college?

"For as long as I can remember, my goal has always been to make it to the Major Leagues," said Braunecker. "It will obviously take hard work and lots of dedication but this has been my dream since I was little. When I was growing up I used to put my little Yankee jersey on and go throw a tennis ball against my garage and play made-up Major League games against myself, and to one day actually step out onto a real Major League mound in front of thousands of fans and do something I love the most, that would be a dream come true."