Bresnahan sparks St. Rose

Chris Bresnahan wanted to have fun during his senior year of high school and that's why he made his college decision before the 2009 high school baseball season began. Bresnahan did so by signing a national letter of intent with Elon University of North Carolina.

Elon is a member of the Southern Conference.

"On my official visit I found the school was great," he said. "Baseball is played year-round. It's where I had the best opportunity to play early."

Bresnahan, who is a resident of Freehold Township, plays his high school baseball at St. Rose High School, Belmar.

In 2008, St. Rose went 27-2 and won the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship and the Monmouth County Tournament crown.

In 2009, St. Rose is off to an 11-1 start and in first place in the Shore Conference B Central Division. St. Rose's only loss was to Immaculata, which is ranked No. 5 in New Jersey.

Bresnahan, who plays shortstop and hits leadoff for St. Rose, is batting .516 with five doubles, two triples and three home runs among his 16 hits. He has driven in 12 runs and leads the Shore Conference in runs scored with 23.

"I'm seeing the ball real well and I feel comfortable at the plate," he said.

St. Rose Coach Jim Agnello believes that signing with a college has taken the pressure off Bresnahan and allowed him to relax.

Being relaxed has helped, but so did Bresnahan's off-season workouts.

"I worked on weightlifting to get bigger and stronger," he said. "It helps me fight off pitches and drive the ball better."

Bresnahan also worked on covering the plate. He was susceptible to a low outside pitch, but he is not anymore.

Being the Purple Roses' leadoff hitter, Bresnahan said, has made him a better hitter because his goal is to get on base and he has become more selective at the place.

"I'll take a walk," he said. "I'm just trying to get on base."

Bresnahan takes his glove work at shortstop every bit as seriously as he does his hitting. He is a complete player who is as much an asset to St. Rose in the field as he is with the bat in his hands. That's just the way he wants it.

"Even if I'm not hitting, I want to help the team somehow," he said. "I'll do whatever I can."

Agnello praised Bresnahan's baseball savvy.

"He's a very confident player who is aware of his ability and how to get the best out of it," the coach said. "He's a pleasure to coach. He's always three steps ahead of everyone else. He's always anticipating the game."

Success on the diamond has followed Bresnahan everywhere. He played on the Freehold Township Little League Junior League all-star team that won the Eastern Regional title and went to the Junior League World Series. Now he is collecting championships with St. Rose and turning the Purple Roses into a respected Shore Conference power.

"Last year we earned a lot of respect," he said.

This year the Purple Roses wanted to build on that success and they have.

"The kids wanted to prove how good they really are," said Agnello.

Thus far, the St. Rose baseball team has been doing just that.