Throughout his baseball career, Brittain Shander has managed to stay within the fundamentals.

The Northampton junior is witnessing how his approach is paying dividends for him and his team this season.

“I just try to keep it simple and keep my balance,” said Shander in reference to his batting stance. “I just go out there and try as hard as I can. I haven’t really tried anything new. I just try to hit the ball as square as I can.”

So far, Shander hasn’t been obtuse. Through the early season, Shander was hitting. 615 with seven RBIs. He also won the third-base spot, a spot previously held by three-year graduated starter Will Stackhouse.

“He (Shander) won a four-player battle for third base,” said Kids’ head coach Mick Sugra. “He usually is a middle infielder, but we had two returning starters there, and he wanted to move over to third. In our first four games, he has played great defense and is hitting solidly.”

Consequently, the Kids have soared to a fast start in the process. Their start also has helped them begin to solidify a stance in the ultra-competitive Skyline Division of the East Penn Conference.

Shander hasn’t been shocked by the mercuric beginning.

“Things are going good in the weight room and on the field,” he said. “We have great chemistry, and we all believed we would do well. We have all played for a long time and we spent a lot of time together. I knew I could play at third (base) and it has been working out well.”

Shander’s baseball odyssey began in T-ball at age five and it steadily has progressed over the years. He credits his success to his father, Scott, who played baseball and football at Catasauqua. Along with baseball, Shander also began wrestling at the same age and competed until last year. He plans to continue wrestling next year.

“My dad has helped me a lot,” he said. “He has helped me with my swing and also has taught me about the game. He always has been there for me and that really has motivated me.”

Shander also cites the support from the ABE Hawks, an 18U traveling team based in the Lehigh Valley. The experience has helped him fully develop his game.

“They started the team a couple of years ago, and it has been a good thing for me,” Shander said. “The coaches have been great and playing with them has helped my game.

“I have gained more confidence in the last couple of years and really have seen my game come together.”

Shander would love to continue playing baseball in college, but he is funneling his current energies toward a long run this season.

“We can all relate to each other,” Shander said. “Things are different than they were last season. Our chemistry is super strong and we know we can go far this season.”