Brauer's power surge lasted all spring

Brian Brauer's barrage began on a crisp spring day at Crystal Lake South in Streamwood's season opener on March 21. It continued through damp days, windy days, calm days and sunny days.

Simply put, Brauer never let up at the plate during his senior season, producing power numbers rarely seen in these parts.

The three-year varsity member started his year going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI against the Gators. That was pretty much par for the course all season as his .525 batting average, 15 home runs and 61 RBI in 35 games by far led the Elgin area.

Those power numbers combined with a perfect 17-for-17 mark in stolen base attempts and a rock solid defensive performance at second base played a major part in helping Streamwood claim its first winning season in four years with a 19-14-1 record.

The impressive body of work also earned Brauer the 2009 Courier-News Player of the Year award as he becomes the first Streamwood product to earn the distinction.

Things were certainly pointing up for Brauer after earning All-Area and All-Upstate Eight Conference honors as a junior, but the power surge nonetheless caught most everyone by surprise.

"Fifteen home runs, that's amazing," said Streamwood shortstop Ryan Kiesel, a longtime teammate of Brauer's. "I knew he had a few in him and we all knew he was strong, but I didn't know he could do that. Fifteen is up there."

Added coach Steve Diversey: "Looking at his numbers from the last two years I would have never pegged him for coming through with the power for us. But once you get in that rhythm, and the ball is looking larger than life, it's easy to just sit back and hit it hard."

Brauer's 15 home runs are tied for 26th on the state's single-season home run list, and his 61 RBI are tied for 32nd in state history according to IHSA.org. He also owns Streamwood's career home run record with 22.

The power display lasted all season, but it hit a high point in mid-April. Brauer clubbed a pair of home runs — including a grand slam — in a victory against East Aurora on April 16. He smashed two more home runs the next day in a victory against Schaumburg.

Outbursts like that were enough to leave Brauer salivating for another trip to the plate.

"In those double home-run games I wanted to get a fifth or sixth at-bat," Brauer said. "When you get on a roll like that you just want to keep going. You don't want to stop because you don't want to lose it."

Brauer credits part of his surge to the revamped swing he developed last summer with the help of his father, Howard Brauer.

The changes included moving his hands lower and holding the bat differently. He carried the new stance into fall ball, enjoying ample success. The rest is now school history.

"My junior year it was kind of a flat swing and I was hitting a lot of ground balls," Brauer said. "We saw it, I changed it and worked on it and it just came through full force."

The family support didn't end with his father. Brauer recognizes his mother, Joan, as a constant source of support throughout his playing career. Meanwhile, older brothers Matt and Steve were always willing to play catch, throw batting practice or offer advice.

Matt joined Elmhurst College's baseball team following his playing days at Streamwood and Steve just finished his junior season at Aurora University. Brian will follow in their footsteps as a member of Judson University's up-and-coming baseball program next year.

Brian says he looks forward to joining an Eagles squad that set a school record for wins in 2009 and will welcome a number of talented local players, including fellow All-Area team members Johnny Amann of Jacobs and Zach Liebman of Huntley.

Diversey is also pleased with his former star's decision as he looks forward to watching Brauer continue his development as a five-tool player.

"I haven't seen a kid with such a natural glove at second base," Diversey said. "He's got quick hands, a quick glove and he moves laterally really well.

"I think he's only scratching the surface of how good he can be, which is kind of exciting since he's staying local so we can find out how he matures."