All Summer Long: Max Kuhns

Posted: Aug 06, 2014

Note: Summer and baseball have always seemed to fit together perfectly. For fans of the game, summer is a time to enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of America's pastime, but for college baseball players, it is a time for development. College players across the country, including members of the Santa Clara baseball squad, have already left for their summer experiences just weeks after finals as they begin preparation for the 2015 season.

After a much-improved 2014 campaign on the Mission Campus, Bronco ball players now occupy rosters throughout the nation in summer leagues that are helping them grow as players. Santa Clara is represented in twelve different leagues from the Bay Area to New England, while others play for independent teams. The "All Summer Long" series, in its fourth season, will chronicle the Broncos as they play in various summer leagues nationwide.

By Dylan Lynch '16

Old Orchard Beach, Maine - After making 22 starts for the Broncos as a freshman, Max Kuhns has spent his summer in Maine competing in the Futures Collegiate League as a member of the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide. Alongside fellow Bronco teammate Evan Brisentine, Kuhns has taken the summer to improve his performance on the field while enjoying his time in Maine with his host family.

Kuhns, the rising sophomore from Chaparral High School in Parker, Colo., was an Academic All-State scholar in both baseball and football his senior year. He went on to have a solid season for the Broncos, serving as both a position player and a relief pitcher.

With only three games left in the season, Kuhns and the Raging Tide have posted a 19-32 record. Kuhns has been concentrating on his performance at the plate; he's knocked three homeruns this summer in addition to 15 RBIs.

"I have really focused on getting my timing down at the plate as well as trying to drive the ball to all parts of the field," Kuhns explains.

Kuhns pitched relief seven times for the Broncos this past season in addition to several outings in the field. "In the field, I'm trying to get better reads off the bat," he said. "I am still getting my pitching in, just more in bullpens."

Similar to many of the other Bronco baseball players participating in leagues all over the country, Kuhns is staying with a host family in Maine and has been enjoying the new experience. Though, life with the host family has taken some time to adjust to after Kuhns spent his freshman year sharing a dorm room with his teammate, Michael Westra.

"They are some of the nicest people I have met in my life. It is a little different having three kids under the age of 14 around the house but I enjoy every part of it."

This is Kuhns' first time playing in the Futures Collegiate league, though having Bronco teammate and Raging Tide veteran, Evan Brisentine, has helped Kuhns in his adjustment to the summer league.

"Brizzy (Brisentine) and I have bonded and become closer than ever. Having him with me this summer has been awesome and he has shown so much leadership. He's been tearing it up out here and I can't wait to see him do it back at school."

Kuhns also remarks on the different format of summer league compared to the WCC season.

"During summer ball we play on average six games in seven days and all games are at 7 pm. There's no school during the day so you can devote all of you attention to baseball."

Though he's grateful for his time in Maine, Kuhns is ready to get back on the diamond for Santa Clara. "Old Orchard Beach is a great place and I'm really enjoying my time out here, but at the same time I can't wait to get back to school to work with the team and see all of my friends."