By Nate Discavage
Almost every year, New York Collegiate Baseball League teams go through a complete roster overhaul. Each team is always recruiting new players to come spend the summer in New York in preparation for another NCAA baseball season. For some, it is an opportunity to focus on improving a specific aspect of their game; for others, it is a chance to show their college coaches what they are capable of and win starting roles. It provides an opportunity for all players involved to keep playing baseball long after the NCAA season is over.
Occasionally, a player will have such a great experience that he will want to return for another season. Such is the case for Oneonta Outlaws pitchers, Brandon Agar (University of North Georgia) and Alec Romanowski (Stevenson University). The duo were a part of the 2013 NYCBL champion Outlaws squad and have returned in an attempt to defend their title.
Both players looked forward to returning to Oneonta for another season of Outlaws’ baseball.
“Once [Outlaws’ General Manager] Steve Pindar asked me, I remembered how much I loved the city, the great people I met here, and obviously the great memories I had playing up here from the previous summer,” Agar said.
“I really liked the experience last year,” Romanowski said. “I like the coaches and the atmosphere of Oneonta.”
Agar, a 2014 All Star, came out of the bullpen all season to shut down the opposition. He led all 2014 Oneonta relievers in innings pitched (36 1/3), wins (4), saves (4), and ERA (1.98) while leading the entire pitching staff in strikeouts (43).
He credits his success to Oneonta pitching coach, Atlee Pearson.
“I have worked with our amazing pitching coach, Atlee, from day one. He knows me so well as a pitcher,” Agar said. “I can get a lot accomplished when I work with him. I even look to him for guidance during my regular season at my university.”
Head coach Joe Hughes speaks nothing but praise about Agar and his dominance.
“Brandon Agar is one the best pitchers I have ever had on any of my teams. He is a fierce competitor and a great teammate,” Hughes said. “The success that the Outlaws have had in the past two seasons is in part due to his contributions.”
Agar did not only lead the Outlaws from the mound but on the field. The 6’3 junior was always seen preparing the field for play prior to every home game and stayed late to make sure the field was in perfect condition after each game. By the end of the season, almost every Oneonta pitcher joined Agar in his pregame and postgame routine.
“At school we take pride in our field and how well maintained it is, so I just wanted to bring that same pride to Oneonta. As for the pitching staff, I beg them to help and they understand that it is a lot for one person so they don’t mind,” Agar said.
Romanowski returned to help solidify a solid Oneonta starting rotation. He showed great command this season by surrendering the fewest walks of any Outlaws’ starter (13). The 6’5 righty from Endwell, New York also boasted a 2.97 ERA over the course of 39 1/3 innings pitched (both improvements from last year’s statistics).
“I’ve definitely played against good experience in this league and had good coaches at Oneonta,” Romanowski said. “Atlee helped me develop my pitches and learn to call a good game.”
Romanowski could almost always be found at one of the clubhouse ping pong tables joking around with his teammates and enjoying his second season with the Outlaws.
Both pitchers will play a significant role in this year’s NYCBL Championship Series against the Hornell Dodgers. Agar earned the win in game two of last year’s series against Hornell to clinch the title for Oneonta. He looks forward to doing it a second time in 2014.
“Statistically Hornell has shown to be a powerhouse and I recognize and respect that, but I can’t say I will take any different approach with them.”
Agar and Romanowski will need some help from the rest of the team, however, as the Dodgers hold the number one seed and one of the best records in NYCBL history (38-8). Hornell took game one from Oneonta 8-6 on Sunday night.
“Having Brandan and Alec on our staff these past two years have been very important to our success. They are quality pitchers who we can depend on to give us quality outings,” Hughes said. “They are both great teammates and important members of our team.”
Once the season is over, both athletes are ready to return to school and focus on their studies and baseball careers.
“My plans for the future are to go back to school and be the best person, baseball player, and student that I can be,” Agar said. “If I do all of that right then everything else will work itself out. But I am very excited to see what the future holds for me and my baseball career.”
“I have two more years at Stevenson University, and I’ll graduate with a degree in Chemistry and hopefully go to pharmacy school after that,” Romanowski said.
Both Agar and Romanowski enter their junior year this fall. With one year of NYCBL eligibility remaining, only time will tell if the two pitchers have one more year of Outlaws’ baseball left in them.
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