Zbranak closing in on Brick National home run record

After an explosive performance in the first game of the season when Nick Zbranak hit for the "home run cycle," he still is driving them out for the Brewers of the Brick National Cal Ripken baseball league's Major Division for 10- to 12-year-olds.

COURTESY OF ZBRANAK FAMILY Brick National Brewer's team member Nick Zbranak has made a name for himself this season in the Cal Ripken League. Zbranak hit his 12th homer on May 15 to center field on a full-count pitch that tied him with Jordan Roshala, who did it five years ago. Zbranak is believed to be one away from tying the league record. It's double the number he hit as an 11- year-old last year. And with six games left, Zbranak has a chance to shatter that mark, even though opposing pitchers are throwing around the left-handed hitter.

"I just usually take my time, look for my pitch, wait for the pitcher to make a mistake, and then hit the ball," he said. "It's always worked. I've hit a bunch to the opposite field, maybe four or five. It's all working. Whatever happens, happens."

And it worked on Friday night when Zbranak tagged a full-count delivery from Christian Marin of Brick American's Mariners in an interleague game over the Brick American center-field fence. It pulled the Brewers to within a run, but the Mariners held onto the 12-11 victory in a showdown of league leaders.

"His pitch selection is huge," said Bob Zbranak, Nick's dad, who is a coach on the Mariners. "He's not seeing too many good pitches. They're pitching around him, but he's adapted to that."

Zbranak made his mark in the season opener when he hit a solo homer, a two-run shot, a three-run homer and a grand slam. He followed it in the next game with a home run in the first atbat but then hit a double, ending the home run streak. In his next at-bat, Zbranak hit home run No. 6.

But young Zbranak does not want to be perceived as a one-dimensional player. He also is a reliable shortstop and a fine pitcher, with a 3-1 record for the 8-3 Brewers, who has gotten added instruction from Greg Short at the 3-2 Count school in Farmingdale.

"I just throw strikes, but when I don't, I just try to pitch where they won't hit it hard. I have a good infield behind me," said Zbranak who throws a fastball, change-up and occasional cutter.

Zbranak doesn't think his reputation as a hitter overshadows his other qualities.

"I hit a home run every now

and then," he said. "But I find with them saying I'm a home run hitter [and nothing else], I shake it off."

Bob Zbranak said that walking his son is like giving up a triple with the way he can steal second and third base afterward.

"They might as well pitch to him, or else he makes them pay for it," said the elder Zbranak.

"It's hitting, pitching, fielding. He's doing everything, and he's running the bases," said Brewers manager John Brower of the No. 3 hitter in the order.

Young Zbranak said he wants to lead his team to the league championship after it lost in the tournament finals last year. And then it's on to the District 2 tournament, where Zbranak will play on the Brick National Majors All-Star team for the second straight year. He also is on the Brick National 12-year-old travel team that lost its first four games by one-run margins.

"I always look forward to All-Stars," Zbranak said. "The talent equals out. You just see which is the better team. It's fun."

And if Brick National is the better team in the district, it will be one of 10 teams competing in mid-July in the state championships hosted across town by Brick American for the first time.