BRIAN HART LEADS BLUE STREAKS BATS
Saratoga junior has had four straight multi-hit games for 12-2 squad
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Brian Hart has been one of the most important players for Saratoga Springs’ varsity baseball team this season. The latest example was a 2 for 2 day at the plate with a triple, single, walk and two runs in a 3-2 Suburban Council win over Guilderland on Monday.
Hart said that one of his biggest influences and biggest helps is his dad.
“My dad has instructed me since I was a little kid, he does a lot for me and I’m am thankful for him,” Hart said. “I love baseball, I have been playing it since I was a kid. It is a joy.”
Hart is in his second season with the Blue Streaks varsity squad and has become one of the best and most reliable players on the team.
Hart said that he has become a better player this season.
“Last year, I didn’t start off the way I wanted to,” Hart said. “It was an adjustment and I kinda picked things up at the end of the year, carried things into this year and it’s why I’m doing so good.”
Saratoga Springs has gone on a four-game winning streak since a 2-0 loss to Mohonasen. Hart has had multi-hit games in all those contests.
The junior said that the Blue Streaks are always trying to do something to get themselves on base.
“Everyone on the team is just looking to do their job,” Hart said. “We are not trying to do too much, we are not trying to swing for the fences. We are just trying to get a good hit that will score runs. That leads to big wins.”
Hart is the center fielder for the Blue Streaks, making him the leader in the outfield. He is also a big contributor in the lineup, routinely hitting in the clean-up position.
“You have to be prepared for every single game,” Hart said. “That is something I try to do in school, try to think about the game, getting ready and get in the right mindset to play the games. Coach puts me in the four hole a
lot because there are usually runners on when I am up. I usually just hit them in. That’s my job, so I like to do that.
“You got to do a lot of talking. Lewi, Fauler and Chudy are out there all time. They are just as good as me, but there is a lot of communicating the center fielder needs to do and I like to take that role.”
The Blue Streaks have started out 12-2 this season. One of the reasons the team has been so successful this season is the leadership of second-year head coach Andrew Cuthbertson.
Hart said the Cuthbertson has been a big influence on the team and has made them a successful program that other teams need to pay attention to when they compete against them.
“He has done a lot for this program since he took it over last year,” Hart said. “He really works with the pitchers a lot. (His experience includes) playing in college and coaching at the college level.”
Hart said the team felt it was under the radar before the season started. That led them to be underestimated by other teams.
“Coming into the season, we were kind of an underdog,” Hart said. “Not too many teams thought we were going to be the favorite. We like taking that role because people don’t know who were are or what we can do, they kind of just play against us and we accept that role.”