By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Apr. 8, 2015: Put your shovels and salt away. The Yankees, Mets, and Broncos open this week, and to the relief of many, spring is finally here. The Bronco boys will open at home on Saturday against Valhalla. Game time is 11:00 am. 

It has been a tough winter for the baseball players, who wanted to get outside to practice, but the snow-covered ground made it impossible. The team was finally able to get out last week when they made their first-ever trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida, for spring training. They were happy to be out in the sunshine after being confined to the gym all winter. 

"It was kind of frustrating in the winter because we couldn't be outside," said pitcher Graham Klimley. "Once we got to Florida, we let loose, throwing across the diamond and really playing." 

In the Broncos' first day of scrimmages at the Cocoa Expo, a multisport baseball complex, they swept a doubleheader (9-2, 15-8) against Ben Lippen High School from South Carolina, with 25 team hits and strong pitching contributing to the wins. Later in the week, they secured a 6-4 victory over Cross Lanes Christian School from West Virginia and ended the week with an 8-5 loss to Wisconsin's Sauk Prairie High School. 

This year's roster includes nine seniors, eight of whom played together last year. In 2014, the team finished the season 8-12, but with this group of experienced seniors, they are hoping to better their record this year. 

Returning players include Tyler Schultz, Jack Braumuller, and Klimley, team captains. Schultz, who plays shortstop, is a three-year varsity starter who led the team in 2014 in runs, hits, RBIs, and stolen bases and had a team-high batting average of .441. First baseman Jack Braumuller had a breakout offensive year last season, with 16 hits and a .400 batting average. Klimley, who pitches for the Broncos, was named Section 1 Comeback Player of the Year in 2014 and should be a big contributor to the team's success. 

Several other seniors will be key players in the Bronco lineup. Matt Huncke, a three-year varsity player, returns as the Bronco catcher.

He has caught for the team in 42 consecutive games and in 2014 led the Broncos in fielding percentage. David Cyganowski has been a varsity starter for the past three seasons and will play second base for the Broncos. Jack Redpath should play a pivotal role on defense, on the mound and at the plate. 

The junior class, stacked with experience and talented players, is led by outfielder Joe Pepe. He is the only member of the team to have played varsity baseball for four years and is one of the best defensive outfielders in Section 1. Pepe will be the team's starting center fielder and leadoff hitter and one of the top arms on the pitcher's mound. 

The pitching pool is deep in talent and experience. The staff includes starters Braumuller, Klimley, Pepe, Redpath, and Trevin Winston. In addition, the team has a mixture of talented arms throughout the roster, including Schultz, Ben Grieco, Brian DePaul, Dan von Albade, Owen Balseiro, and Andrew Dent.   

The players and coaches were happy to have had time in Florida to prepare for the upcoming season. 

"Solid competition, warm air, and the chance to figure out some spots and rotations in informal scrimmages was fantastic," said head coach Anthony Vaglica. "But, most importantly, this was a great chance for the boys to come together as a team and learn to relax and have fun together. I am really looking forward to a positive season this year." 

Go Broncos.

Pictured here (two rotating): The Bronxville baseball team in Cocoa Beach, Florida. 

Photos by Steve Malley