After his freshman year, Brandon Jenny took stock of himself.

Jenny believed he could be a mainstay on the mound for Catasauqua, but he also realized that fate of last year’s season shelved due to COVID-19.

The lefthander decided to be tutored by Steve Shank, a local pitching coach, to improve his game.

“I wanted to become a better pitcher,” he stated. “I worked with a pitching coach in my offseason workouts. We worked on pitches, and everything about my delivery.

“I feel like I am throwing better with my curveball and fastball, and I ‘m working on a slider. It feels like it is all coming together for me.”

The junior looms as the top pitcher for the Rough Riders this spring on a relatively young club. He is aware of the looming growing pains.

“It will be a challenge,” he said. “We have to work as a team to get where we want to be. We have a lot of young guys in the field who are playing at the varsity level for the first time.

“I want to do whatever I can.”

Head coach Steve Bradley has recognized and realized Jenny’s efforts.

“Brandon has matured quite a bit in two years,” he said. “He has been working hard and his attitude has been fantastic.

“He has put the team first and does whatever is asked of him. When he’s not pitching, he has played the outfield for us and has done a terrific job. He also has been leader for out developing pitchers.”

Jenny has reached out to the younger hurlers.

“I have worked with them in the gym if they have a question about pitching,” he said. “I always try to encourage and guide them when I can.”

Jenny acknowledged the support of his parents, Brian and Jessica, who have helped him along his baseball way that started at a young age.

“I can always remember being a pitcher,” he recalled. “I became more confident and comfortable out there in my freshman year. We had a decent team then and I was given a chance.

“I’ll always remember a game as a freshman at Northwestern. I didn’t really pitch that well and gave up a home run, but it was a game when the entire team had a lot of fun.”

Jenny also feels reassured with senior Cole Schiffer behind the plate.

“He has caught me throughout my high school career,” Jenny said of Schiffer. “We have a pretty good bond between us. If I’m struggling, he’ll come out and knows how to calm me down.”

Jenny is optimistic that he can have a memorable game this season, and his team can enjoy some highlights as well.

“I definitely see us becoming a better team as the year goes on,” he said. “I think we can grow and we have a good chemistry.”