LebCo Athlete of the Week: Braden Gettle

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Featuring photography by Heather Daub

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Braden Gettle

During the week of April 20th, Braden Gettle came through with the kind of performance that means even more this time of year.

With ELCO celebrating Senior Day and still fighting to keep its postseason hopes alive, Gettle delivered in a big-time spot in the Raiders’ 5-2 win over Conestoga Valley. The senior earned the win on the mound by working 5 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 unearned runs while striking out 2 and walking 2. He also contributed offensively with a hit and 2 walks, helping ELCO take another important step during its late-season push. Those efforts earned Gettle recognition as a LebCo Athlete of the Week.

“I was able to have a really good day on the mound, shutting down Conestoga Valley,” said Gettle. “I also had a very efficient day at the plate.”

Gettle’s outstanding performance has been part of a late-season surge by the Raiders, who have now won 5 in a row and 7 of their last 8 games. ELCO sits at 11-8 with 1 game left to play, a matchup that could ultimately determine whether the Raiders will qualify for the District 3 Playoffs.

So far this season, Gettle has been one of the steady pieces helping drive that push. At the plate, he is hitting .298 with 12 RBI. In the field, he has posted a .963 fielding percentage. On the mound, he owns a 1.67 ERA over 21 innings in 8 appearances, striking out 20.

For Gettle, one of his main personal goals this spring has been straightforward.

“Have a batting average of .300 or higher,” said Gettle.

He said he has tried to fit into the team’s goals by doing whatever is needed, whether that comes on the mound or at the plate.

“I have been able to be a key pitcher for the team, as well as make some contributions offensively,” said Gettle. “I have been part of an overall great team effort this year.”

That team-first mentality is exactly what ELCO head coach Brad Kreiser said makes Gettle such a valuable player.

“Braden has a team-first mentality,” said Kreiser. “He does everything we ask him to do. Primarily a first baseman, this year he’s played 3rd base, outfield, started games on the mound, and closed them out in relief.”

Kreiser said Gettle’s versatility and competitiveness have made him the kind of player every team wants.

“He’s a tremendous young man and loves to compete,” said Kreiser. “Braden is everything you ask for in a player.”

Part of what makes Gettle’s success on the mound stand out is that pitching is still a relatively new role for him at the varsity level.

“From a pitching perspective, this is really just my second year of pitching in high school, so it has been a grind to be able to have the success I have had so far on the mound,” said Gettle.

Gettle also made sure to recognize the people who have helped him along the way, giving thanks to his family, teammates, and coaches for their support.

Outside of baseball, Gettle also plays soccer. Looking ahead, he plans to attend York College of Pennsylvania, where he will major in secondary education social studies while continuing his baseball career.

Athletics also run in the family. Gettle said his dad played soccer and basketball in high school and was a district runner-up in soccer. He also said his brother played both soccer and baseball, and was a league runner-up in soccer during his senior year.

On a personal note, Gettle said that when he is not training, he is usually spending time with his friends, family, and dogs, watching sports, or making trips to his cabin in Wellsboro, PA, when he has the time. One thing that stands out about him is that he is a diehard Phillies fan and watches the majority of their games.

What Gettle enjoys most about sports is the friendships that come with it.

“The friendships I am able to make along the way,” said Gettle. “The majority of my friends I have met through sports, and being able to play the game with them makes it so much more fun.”

Congratulations to Braden on earning LebCo Athlete of the Week honors, and best of luck to him and the Raiders as they continue their push toward the postseason.

Photos by Heather Daub and ELCO Athletics

LebCo Female Athlete of the Week: Addi Davis

Past Winners

Thadeous Gilbert (Week of 4/13)

Grant Reesor  (Week of 4/6)

Davin Kolter (Week of 3/30)

Brett Wenger (Week of 3/23)

Adrian Gonzalez (Week of 3/9, 3/16)