Lake Braddock Baseball: A Season Preview

Lake Braddock baseball didn’t gain its winning reputation by getting lucky. A combination of talent, off-season preparation, weight training and quality coaching has earned their title and keeps the program among the top teams in the Northern Region.

In fact, the Bruins were voted to finish first in the region in a coach’s poll this offseason.

Coach Jody Rutherford doesn’t put much weight in the poll’s results.

“Yeah, we were picked to finish first, for whatever it’s worth,” said Rutherford. “I don’t know what to think of that until we start performing.”

The players are more than prepared to live up to these expectations. They followed a strict weight-training regime throughout the off-season in order to stay in shape. Players also participated in winter camps, competitive fall and summer leagues and conditioning.

This season’s team will be a young one, with three sophomores projected to be in the starting lineup. The four or five seniors that are starting are going to be expected to assume an important leadership role.

“The seniors are going to have to step up and lead the younger guys on the team,” said Rutherford. “That will be a big key to our success.”

One of the seniors, pitcher Kenny Towns, is committed to play baseball at the University of Virginia on a scholarship.

“Pitching will be our strength this year,” said Rutherford. “We have some pretty solid arms.”

According to Rutherford, some other members of his pitching rotation may not be far behind in committing to play baseball in college.

“[Junior] Michael Church and [sophomore] Thomas Rodgers aren’t too far off from making similar decisions,” said Rutherford.

Lake Braddock's baseball success could continue in future years; the Junior Varsity squad has what coach Johann Tiamson describes as “raw talent.”