Hilbert College Athletics

Drew Fittry welcomed Jacob Bruning as an assistant baseball coach in early September 2023. The Niagara ‘22 alum will be tasked with overseeing all aspects of the Hawks' pitching staff.

The former Purple Eagle is currently pitching for the State College Spikes in the MLB Draft League under the tutelage of former Baltimore Orioles manager, Dave Trembley, and former 11-year major league veteran pitcher, Jerome Williams until September 2nd. 

Bruning spent four years on Monteagle Ridge (2019-2022) before capping off his collegiate career at the University of South Alabama. The southpaw appeared in 41 games for Niagara, including 21 starts. He struck out 136 batters over 136.2 innings while posting a 4.94 career earned run average. As a senior, he logged a career high 47.1 innings pitched, tallying 47 strikeouts over 17 appearances.

Bruning is a graduate of Royalton-Hartland High School where he capped off his varsity career earning All-WNY First Team and Class B All-State First Team honors.  He graduated from Niagara University in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in sport management.