Aschenbrenner Is Big Hit in Small Schools Division

Gerrick Aschenbrenner isn’t accustomed to having his name associated with the word slump.

For two seasons, the senior shortstop was one of the top players at Flintridge Prep. He batted .360 and was a first-team All-Prep League selection as a junior. Last season, he batted .540 and was first-team All-Southern Section in the Small Schools Division.

But early this season he was struggling.

“I don’t feel real comfortable at the plate,” he said recently. “I’m in a slump. If you call batting .300 a slump.”

It was for Aschenbrenner. But he had an excuse. A strained back muscle suffered near the start of the season had restricted his mobility.

It’s feeling much better now as his .438 batting average attests. And his fielding? It was never a problem. He has only two errors this season.

“He is dedicated to the game completely,” Flintridge Coach Manuel Nunez said.

Flintridge, which has an enrollment of 350 students, has achieved a moderate level of success in the Small Schools Division, but in no way can it be considered high profile when it comes to athletics.

“It’s kind of a give-and-take thing,” Aschenbrenner said. “I could play on a bigger high school team against better competition, but it would be hard to say if I would get the same recognition and awards.”

Aschenbrenner could be the first Flintridge baseball player to receive an athletic scholarship to an NCAA Division I school. Cal and Loyola Marymount have expressed interest.

“He definitely has Division I potential and could be an excellent college player,” said Dave Desmond, general manager of the San Fernando Valley Dodgers amateur baseball team. “He’s as good as I’ve seen all year at the Small Schools level.”