Baseball: New Trier’s Brady Arenson points ship East

Updated: November 8, 2011 8:14PM

A picture of perseverance should feature Brady Arenson.

The New Trier senior lost his junior season to a knee injury, but he battled back and still earned a scholarship to play college baseball.

A torn meniscus in his right knee last fall prevented the left-handed pitcher from trying out for the Trevians in the spring. He can’t explain how it happened, maybe from baseball or from hockey. Either way, it put up a roadblock on the path to his future.

Instead of suiting up for New Trier, Arenson focused on getting healthy. By the time summer arrived, he was ready to go again.

“I worked my butt off to get back to 100 percent,” Arenson said. “I then had the best summer of my life in baseball.”

Arenson played for Glenview-based Academy Elite and attended several showcases around the country. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder did enough in those few months to attract the attention of college coaches and made a decision to commit to Coastal Carolina.

Like five other New Trier baseball players, Arenson was scheduled to sign his scholarship papers Wednesday, the first day of the early period.

“There was some pressure, yeah,” he said. “But I was trying to have fun. I knew the summer was my chance to go out and impress people. I did feel pressure in that respect.

“But once you’re on the mound, it’s just baseball.”

Other Trevians expected to sign Wednesday included Chris Hall (Elon), Nick Hedge (Penn), Campbell Lipe (Lafayette), Josh Perlmutter (Northwestern) and Austin Zimmerman (Bucknell).

Arenson, who throws two fastballs plus a change-up and curveball, found Coastal Carolina’s radar after attending showcases in the South. He made his official visit to the Conway, S.C., campus in late September and immediately connected.

“I just felt like I would fit in there,” Arenson said. “I love the school and its size. They also made me feel like I was part of the team. That helped spark my interest.”

Before he heads off to play for the Chanticleers, Arenson wants nothing more than to put on the New Trier uniform this spring.

“I have a lot of buddies on that team, and it means a lot to me to go out and play with them,” he said. “I want to go out there for my senior year and help New Trier win a state title.”

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