photo by: Nick Henthorn

Steven Brodegard throws a pitch during Wheeling Central’s state championship win on June 8. Brodegard committed to Mercyhurst, which became a D-I baseball school in the Fall of 2024.

WHEELING – Steven Brodegard was like most young boys growing up. He dreamed of playing college baseball.

The Wheeling Central senior’s dream has come true as he recently committed to NCAA Division I Mercyhurst University to continue his academic and athletic careers. The Lakers became a D-I baseball school in the fall of 2024.

“Ever since I was little I’ve wanted to play college baseball,” the 6-7 Brodegard admitted. “It’s like a dream come true.”

Brodegard becomes the second Maroon Knights senior to commit to a Division I school, following Brayden Cover who will attend Akron University. The two pitched Wheeling Central to the W.Va. Class AA state championship last spring.

“It’s really exciting for me. I just want to go there and get to work,” Brodegard said. “I wanted to get it done (signing) before the November signing period.”

Brodegard said he was in talks with Marshall University and a lot of the Mid-American Conference schools, but Mercyhurst ended up with the best offer.

“I’m glad the recruiting is over. It was a lot,” he noted. “Akron told me they would offer me if one kid didn’t commit but then Mercyhurst made me an offer I really couldn’t turn down.” Brodegard spent this past summer playing in the Perfect Game League in Georgia and South Carolina. His team also played a few games in Boston and Detroit.

“Everything has fallen into place for Steven, this summer and last spring,” Wheeling Central baseball coach Todd Cover said. “When he throws strikes, he’s pretty tough to hit.”

Brodegard started the state championship game against Philip Barbour and went the distance, allowing just two hits in a 7-0 victory, striking out seven.

“That really got me,” Brodegard said of the title tilt. “I thought Coach was going to take me out in the first inning because the first couple of batters got on, but he trusted me and let me continue.”

He said he has five pitches in his arsenal – a slider, 2-seam fastball, 4-seam fastball, changeup and a knuckle curve.

“I was clocked at 91 mph on my fastball recently,” he said. “I’ve been pretty consistent around 88-90.”

Brodegard’s relationship with Coach Cover goes back before the high school days.

“Todd has been helping me since Little League. He has helped me through a lot.”

He hasn’t been alone, however.

“Steven drives to the Akron area during the offseason to work with a pitching coach up there,” Cover said. “He and Brayden have put in the work to get to the next level. They both deserve everything that comes their way.”

Two D-I pitchers at the Class AA level in West Virginia might be unheard of.

“Having two D-I pitchers is a dream come true, especially at a Class AA school in W.Va.,” Cover said. “I’m not sure it’s ever happened.

“This is what we want at Wheeling Central,” the coach continued. “We want kids to go to the next level and play and to also be successful in life.”

Brodegard knows he still has a lot of work to pout in to be successful at the next level.

“I need to be more consistent with my curveball and I need to get better with my location. You can’t walk guys or hit guys in college.”

Brodegard was also a member of the state championship Maroon Knights basketball team last winter.

“I would like to thank my pitching coach, Nick Venuto, Coach Cover, my parents – Tom and Lydia – and God for allowing me to achieve my goals,” he said.

Brodegard said he dedicated his career, thus far, to a former coach of his – Coach Everett – who passed away.

“He died when I was 12, so I’ve kind of dedicated my career to him.”

After college, Brodegard said he wants to enlist in the military and work in a military hospital.

“I think both kids were under-recruited,” Coach Cover said of Stephen and Brayden. “Maybe I’m just being selfish, but both ended up in spots where I think they can get on the field early in their careers and be contributors.”

The 2026 Wheeling Central baseball season should be another successful one with two D-I arms.