Sportlight

Jake Danyluk is proud to represent his school

By Bond Brungard
Posted 3/27/19

Last season was Jake Danyluk’s first season with the Newburgh Free Academy’s baseball team. It was also the final season for his brother, Ryan, who graduated last June.

And both have …

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Sportlight

Jake Danyluk is proud to represent his school

Posted

Last season was Jake Danyluk’s first season with the Newburgh Free Academy’s baseball team. It was also the final season for his brother, Ryan, who graduated last June.

And both have been and are starting pitchers for the Goldbacks.

“He did well last year,” said Scott Seabury, Newburgh’s coach.

Jake Danyluk is a lefty and 6-feet, 4-inches tall, and he started playing baseball around the time he was in kindergarten. When he was in elementary school he started pitching.

“I like controlling the game,” said Jake Danyluk. “I just enjoy the game. I have had a love for it since a young age.”

Jake Danyluk also plays first base for the Goldbacks, but it is his pitching, with velocity in the low 80s accompanied a solid curveball and change-up, that’s expected to help the Goldbacks come back from a 2018 season in which they won a handful of games and hit a little better as a team than .200.

Jake has had the opportunity to train with two of Newburgh’s baseball greats – Willie Frasier who spent most of his career with the California Angels, and Ricky Pacione, now a bullpen catcher with the Cleveland Indians.

“Jake mixes (his pitches) really well. He’s gained a lot of velocity this year,” said Seabury. “He keeps guys off balance.”

And with his size as a lefty, opposing right-handed batters have a lot to be intimidated by when they face him.

“He’s got that good downward plane,” said Seabury.

The Goldbacks return from a season in which they have a lot to build on this season. And Jake Danyluk said he’s proud to represent the team, school and the community.

“It’s great and an honor and a responsibility to carry Newburgh to away games. Wear it on your chest at games throughout the season,” he said.
And as a starter this season, Jake Danyluk said he wants to work on his mental game and try to be consistent as a pitcher and a hitter.

“The mental toughness of the game is very important,” he said