Jessica Cuenca, In Motion Sports Reporter
COVID-19 has presented challenges in the lives of just about everyone around the world, but for some it has presented opportunities. For Austin Brinling, it has meant another chance to play the game that he’s loved for the last 16 years.
At the start of the pandemic, Brinling was a student-athlete on the University of Florida’s baseball team. The pandemic affected the students by not allowing them to come back to campus, only allowing them to have online classes. Brinling went back to Bradenton and finished his semester from UF online. After the semester he decided to leave UF because he was not receiving enough play time on the field.
Having many options, Brinling received an amazing opportunity to join the Daytona State College baseball team when he got a phone call from his high school coach, Tim Orlosky, who graduated from Daytona State, offering him a chance to play with the Falcons.
“Coming from UF, I didn’t get many chances to play,” Brinling said. “But now I feel like there will be more chances and much better times to come.”
Brinling is eager to play under head coach Tim Touma. “Honestly, I’m excited to get on the yard and play baseball,” the outfielder said.
Teammate Brody Maynare, pitcher, expressed enthusiasm about playing with Brinling. “It was exciting hearing about Austin joining our team because he already had a year of experience under his belt,” Maynare said. “So, he knows how the speed of college ball goes.”
With the Athletics Department’s first focus on academics, Coach Touma reminds his players that school is a priority. Brinling has responded with a GPA of 3.7, while the team has an average GPA of 3.8.
Brinling is also making an impact on the field. “Austin is a really cool guy, I’m really excited that he joined our team,” said teammate Kyle Abbott, who plays shortstop. “He is a super hard working guy on and off the field. We have a class together and he is always participating.” Contributing and living a life of service is something that was instilled in Brinling at an early age, but it has served him well. Brinling, along with two younger sisters, were raised by his grandparents, George and Sandra Brinling, in Bradenton, Florida.
His upbringing in Bradenton taught him the importance of giving back. Brinling was a part of and volunteered with Grandparents Group and Angels Attic because he loves getting an opportunity to help others. Brinling has been a part of these groups for a little over 14 years. “I really like being able to help others because my grandparents always told me it’s nice to be nice,” he said. He and his family would attend the Grandparents and when he was old enough he volunteered; handed out pizza, watched movies and played board games with other families. For the Angels Attic organization they are given donations like clothing, furniture, toys, and shoes.
Eventually leaving Bradenton with a heavy heart, Brinling is excited for the upcoming season since he will be playing against some of his hometown friends who play at other colleges. Although he has been working hard, he has no intention of stopping until he and his team win the conference.
To see their baseball games please go to https://www.youtube.com/user/DaytonaFalcon