SANFORD, Maine — Zach Brassill, a 2022 Winnacunnet High School graduate pitching for the Sanford Mainers this summer, had a highlight performance this spring for the Southern New Hampshire University baseball team.
Brassill earned a huge 5-2 win over Jefferson, clinching a spot for the Penmen in the NCAA Division II tournament's East Super Regional. He went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out seven. It was a huge moment for the team and for Brassill, a redshirt freshman this spring who didn't pitch at all his first year at SNHU.
"I kind of had my ups and downs through the year, and then to be able to start in a regional game to help our team get to the Supers, that was huge," Brassill said. "And I pitched a really good game. It was just a lot of energy and it was super fun."
Brassill appeared and started in 15 games this season for the Penmen. He went 73 innings with a 6.29 ERA, 66 strikeouts and a 7-4 win-loss record.
Brassill had two streaks — one in February through early March, and the other from late April to early May — where he won three consecutive starts.
"I was fortunate enough that I got to start every weekend," Brassill said. "Honestly, not a lot of people get the opportunity to do that as a redshirt freshman, so I'm just glad I was given that opportunity."
In his second start of the season, a win over Molloy, Brassill pitched a complete-game, going the full nine innings, allowing one unearned run on five hits and struck out a season-high nine batters. He went at least six innings in seven of his 15 starts and allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven starts.
Brassill had one of just four SNHU complete-game starts this season, with Exeter High School graduate Parker Lendrum also tossing a complete game.
2023 was a year of learning for Brassill
Though Brassill didn't play in the 2023 season, he was able to improve by working hard and watching teammates.
"There were a lot of really good players on that team to learn how they carry themselves and how they go day-by-day to prepare for games," he said. "So a lot from that, and just watching a lot of baseball. Even myself, just working on my craft and getting better every single day."
Brassill said entering his 2024 redshirt freshman year, is biggest focus area was being able to compete on the mound. He added that he threw a lot of live at-bats over the 2023 season, and learned from those sessions.
"I wasn't necessarily scared, but I didn't have the mindset of attacking hitters and being on offense," Brassill said. "So. that's kind of what I worked on; it was just a mindset shift. And it definitely worked out.
"Baseball is a game that's supposed to be fun," he added. "And you're not supposed to be out there being scared of hitters or anything. Hitting is really hard, so when you're on offense pitching, it makes things a lot easier."
Brassill said college is a different animal than high school, but in a good way, and it's more competitive to earn playing time.
"You never know when you're going to get your number called," Brassill said. "And you have to be ready at any time to go out there and play."
During the summer, Brassill is playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League with the Sanford Mainers. He has recorded four strikeouts in three innings of work, and allowed two runs.
Heading into next season, Brassill said he definitely wants to build off 2024.
"Just continue to get better, besides learning how to throw a changeup," Brassill said. "That's kind of going to be my biggest focus, throwing a changeup and just getting ahead in counts, staying ahead in counts and walking less guys."
After winning seven games, Brassill is eyeing double digits next season.
"As a starter, I think that's huge," he said. "Obviously that's good for me, but it helps the team when you're able to go out there and win games for them."
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