Kutztown’s Bryce Schafer is UECU Pitcher of the Week

By Mike Drago Last updated May 30, 2023

Bryce Schafer was on the shelf with bursitis throughout the month of April. He couldn’t wait to get back on the mound to help his Kutztown Cougars teammates do something special this season.

He returned a month ago, in time to help them win the Berks League Division IV title and make a run at a district title.

Thursday he got the ball in the biggest game of the season, the District 3 Class 3A championship against Halifax, a moment he had been waiting for all season.

“When I came out on the mound (I knew) I was ready,” said the senior right-hander. “It’s go time.”

Schafer fired strikes from the outset and finished with a five-hitter in the Cougars’ 5-1 victory. It earned him his first Utilities Employees Credit Union Pitcher of the Week award.

He didn’t allow a hit until the fourth and took a one-hitter into the sixth. He began to falter in the seventh, allowing a pair of triples. Cougars coach Tim Mertz visited the mound for a little pep talk.

“I told him: ‘You’ve got one more guy, let’s get it done right here,’ ” Mertz related later.

A few pitches later Schafer recorded his fifth strikeout to end the game and was immediately swarmed by his teammates, excited to win their first district championship and Kutztown’s first since 2019, when they were in junior high dreaming of such a moment.

“That’s a storybook ending,” said Schafer, “getting a strike out to end it . . . everybody coming (to the mound to celebrate). It was awesome.”

Bryce Schafer reacts after Cougars win district title, (PhilMarPhoto)

Senior shortstop Matt Remick was not surprised to see his teammate come up big in a big game. He said he could tell by the look in Schafer’s eyes before the game that he was ready for the assignment.

“I’ve played with him a long time,” Remick said. “I’ve seen him throw a lot of complete games. When he gets going he’s unstoppable and he’ll go as long as you let him.”

Schafer didn’t excel only on the mound; he also hit a solo homer to give Kutztown a 3-0 lead in the third inning.

For the season, Schafer is 5-2 in seven starts with a 2.02 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 27 2/3 innings. He was an all-division pick in Berks IV.

The Cougars (17-6) head to the PIAA Tournament where they’ll open against the District 2 champion, Elk Lake, on June 5.

Schafer is the first Kutztown player selected as Utilities Employees Credit Union Pitcher of the Week this season.

Players considered for UECU Union Pitcher of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by MikeDragoSports.com.

Also nominated for Utilities Employees Credit Union Pitcher of the Week:

Gavin Miller, Exeter
ColtenMathias, Kutztown
Paul Petersen, Oley Valley
Matt VanOstenbridge, Wilson
Nick Crocona, Wilson

Selected as Utilities Employees Credit Union Pitcher of the Week this season:

April 3: Deven Sheerin, Exeter
April 10: Matt VanOstenbridge, Wilson
April 17: Ethan Grim, Gov. Mifflin
April 24: Carson Renner, Brandywine Heights
May 1: Matt VanOstenbridge, Wilson
May 8: Chase Kegerise, Oley Valley
May 15: Matt VanOstenbridge, Wilson
May 22: Deven Sheerin, Exeter
May 29: Bryce Shafer, Kutztown

Cougars’ Bryce Schafer delivers against Halifax. (PhilMarPhoto)

Selected as Utilities Employees Credit Union Pitcher of the Week last season:

April 4: Tristan Baer, Hamburg
April 11: Alexander Velez, Gov. Mifflin
April 18: Cole Leaman, Wilson
April 25: Tristan Baer, Hamburg
May 2: Matt Kramer, Wyomissing
May 9: Luke Macdonald, Oley Valley
May 16: Luke Macdonald, Oley Valley
May 23: Rueben Livingston, Wilson