First Capitol News Athlete of the Week
“…he is kind of strange, but in a good way.” On his favorite teacher, Mr. Freeman
Brad Bichel, Senior, St. Charles
High School
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
The old saying sounds something like this: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Such might just be the philosophy of St. Charles High senior Brad Bichel. On a squad rich with pitching talent, it was head coach Charlie Meeker’s senior left-hander’s turn in the rotation when the Pirates faced cross-town rival St. Charles West in Gateway Athletic Conference North Division action last week. “I don’t even like to use the word,” said Meeker when asked if Bichel was his ace. “We have a solid rotation of four pitchers, all of whom can get the job done.”
All Bichel did was shut out the Warriors as the Pirates prevailed 1-0. His pitching performance earned him FCN Athlete of the Week recognition. Although out hit in the contest 4 hits to only 1, the Pirates made their lone hit draw blood. “Brian Randazzo got a base hit and made it to second on an error,” describes the three sport athlete, “once he scored I knew it was up to me to shut them down.” Brad plays football in the fall and basketball in the winter. “Baseball is my first love, it is what I am going to play in college,” he says proudly. Next year he will be playing at Meramec Community College. When not on the mound, Brad plays first base for the Pirates. A southpaw on the mound, he turns around and hits right handed at a .289 clip; with 8 rbi’s and a .346 slugging percentage.
It is his pitching that makes Brad such a valuable commodity. Presently he is 3-0 as a starter, with a 2.27 ERA. He has struck out 23 in 22.7 innings. “We have four aces on this team,” he says, “any one of them would be ‘the ace’ on most other squads,” he confidentially shares.
Brad did not hesitate a beat to proclaim Mr. Freeman his favorite teacher, “He just has a way of making things interesting. Really, he is kind of strange, but in a good way. He doesn’t just lecture; sometimes I think he tricked us into learning stuff.”
Brad lives in St. Charles with his mom and dad, Sandy and Scott Bichel. His sister, Jessica (20) is studying Education at Lindenwood, while his younger brother Cory is at Hardin Middle School just studying. He credits his parents with, “Providing me with everything I’ve ever needed to be successful in sports and in life.” He continued, “It means the world to me looking into the stands and seeing them at my games, they are very special to me.”
Brad knows what he likes, and likes what he knows. “I would go to Krieger’s and order a big old cheeseburger,” he said to end the interview.
To nominate an athlete contact Mike McMurran at mcmurran@charter.net or 314.280.9189
