Agape Freedom Sports LLC

By Jeric Yurkanin | Agape Sports Staff

September 15 2025:

Some families pass down heirlooms. Others pass down recipes. The Bradleys, Schmidts, and Stalicas? They pass down championships. Baseballs, softballs, and fastballs are stitched into their DNA, and the results are everywhere—record books rewritten, college rosters filled, and a reputation that has become one of NEPA’s fiercest family legacies.

Now, Nick Bradley, Abington Heights’ standout pitcher, is the latest to carry that torch.

Nick was born to be a baseball player—the sport he’s played most of his life. Football came later, and with his natural talent, he found success there too. But his dream was always baseball. It’s easy to see why when you look at his sister and cousins and the sports they’ve excelled in. Nick wears the navy and white of Abington Heights with pride, grateful to represent a school with strong programs and supportive administrators.

“I love knowing I can represent Abington in both sports because I can carry on tradition and something that other people started. I feel like a lot of people don’t like Abington in sports. Knowing I get to represent them and prove people wrong is something I really like to do,” said Nick Bradley.

He also knows what it takes to succeed.

“A successful athlete is someone who is consistent, works hard, and shows poise and confidence in big situations. I believe you have to work for what you get. Being able to stay poised and humble while showing out in big spots is something I see as very successful.”

Last year, he broke Abington Heights’ career passing record in football. This year, he extended it even further, and it may stand for a long time—maybe even after he pursues a professional baseball career.

“Breaking the passing record at Abington means a ton. But more than the actual record itself, it’s the teammates that were around me that I want to remember most. We faced a lot of adversity when I first started Abington football and from there we strived and overcame. All of the success that came from that was really a bonus because we built a real family of guys that I’ve been playing with since I was little.”

Born Into Competition:

Nick’s older sister, Jenna Bradley—a former Division I softball player—knows better than anyone what makes her brother tick.

“Growing up, Nick and I were both extremely competitive,” Jenna said. “The difference was, I was outward about it, while Nick always stayed humble. He never rubbed his talent in your face—he just let his actions speak.”

From cornhole bags to hill sprints, tennis to poker, Nick had a knack for excelling at anything he picked up. Jenna still laughs about the time she handed him a softball in Crocs and told him to throw a windmill pitch—he hit 63 mph on the gun, a number she had trained months to reach.

But Nick’s competitiveness wasn’t about beating others. “He’s more competitive with himself than anyone else,” Jenna explained. “He sets an incredibly high standard and just puts his head down to do the work.”

Nick credits Jenna for instilling that drive.

“Jenna has taught me max competitiveness. She is one of the most competitive athletes I have ever seen play, especially when she was at Holy Cross competing for the championship every year. This gives me something to work for in her footsteps too. Jenna also has been through a very similar process and being able to lean on her really helps me mentally.”

There was only one time Jenna recalls beating her brother—during a spin class. “I’ll hold on to that win forever,” she laughed.

The siblings constantly pushed each other, feeding off their shared competitiveness.

“What makes Nick unique, though, isn’t just raw talent. It’s the standard he holds himself to. He’s not watching what everyone else is doing—he just puts his head down and works. And instead of using his abilities to show anyone up, he uses them to lift others.”

Nick summed it up:

“It is really a blessing because everyone in my family wants to win no matter what, and having that mindset always feels like it puts me ahead. Also, having family that I can lean on mentally helps a lot because they always keep trying to push you to get better and keep moving forward.”

Work Ethic Meets Natural Talent:

Those standards paid off. Nick grew from a stocky kid in youth leagues to one of the area’s most coveted recruits. His rise wasn’t just natural ability—it was forged in barns lit up late at night, bullpens into makeshift nets, and 5 a.m. workouts at NEPA FitClub before school.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a time in his 17 years where someone had to tell Nick to practice,” Jenna said. “He’ll do it over and over until he gets it right.”

Nick embraces the grind and the pressure.

“I feel like you have to just embrace the pressure and trust that everything you’ve done to that point has set you up to be successful in that moment. Knowing the hard work that goes into it makes it a lot easier because you don’t feel unprepared—you just have to compete.”

That mindset made Auburn the perfect fit for his next chapter.

“The coaches, the facilities, the culture—it just feels like home. I can’t wait to see how I stack up against the best hitters in the country.”

More Than a Player:

He’s spent countless hours catching bullpens for Jenna’s players, helping at youth camps, and giving back to the Little League fields where it all began.

“He’s the first to volunteer, the first to sit down with kids and help them,” Jenna said. “Even though he could go professional in anything, he’s always tried to make those around him better.”

Their sibling bond has been central to Nick’s journey.

“People might think I paved the way, but truthfully, Nick has helped me more than I’ve helped him,” Jenna admitted. “He’s my best friend. He saw me at my lowest and knew when I needed my brother, not just a teammate. That’s who he is.”

For Jenna, watching her younger brother grow into one of the area’s top athletes has been nothing short of inspiring.

“Although, if you met him on the street, you wouldn’t know this about him,” she said. “I knew even when we were younger that Nick was made for more. I’ve played sports at all levels and I’ve never met someone who pays attention to detail quite like him.”

Most nights, Nick could be found in the barn with the lights on, throwing bullpens or analyzing video. The hours piled up—moving hay with their grandfather, 5 a.m. workouts before school, and endless hill sprints in South Side.

“Even more impressive than his work ethic is how much he gives back,” Jenna added. She works with about 50 local girls in softball, and Nick has caught for nearly all of them. He volunteers at camps, returns to his Little League roots, and looks for ways to grow not just as a player, but as a mentor.

“My family is extremely close, and whenever Nick and I would moan and groan about doing something, he would look at us and say, ‘Well, you’re different,’” Jenna said. “Nick took that to heart. He isn’t afraid to swim against the crowd and be his own person—something most kids his age struggle with. In many ways, he sets the standards for all of us. I can’t wait to see what this next chapter in his career brings for him.”

Nick gives credit to his family:

“I look up to the people in my family who played sports and always wanted to beat my sister and cousins and everyone when we were playing.”

That competitive spirit clearly runs through the family. His cousin, Ava Schmitt, made waves this past softball season as one of District 2’s top pitchers. She racked up 21 wins and struck out 178 batters. Now entering her senior year at Holy Cross, she looks up to Nick and will have one more shot at a District 2 title and a chance to chase a state championship appearance.

“Watching Nick achieve so much in baseball while making my own mark in softball has been exciting. It’s great to see him succeed, and it motivates me to push myself in my own sport. Even though we play different games, we both want to compete and be the best we can be,” Ava said.

She added: “Nick’s work ethic has definitely influenced how I approach softball. Knowing the dedication he puts into baseball inspires me to always give 100% in every practice and game. Seeing his success is motivation in itself. It’s special to have family who understands both the challenges and the rewards of sports.”

One of her favorite memories? Summer camps together, playing random games and laughing between drills. “Beyond being family, what I admire most about Nick is his dedication. He works very hard and treats everyone with respect. As a person and an athlete, he sets a great example for others.”

And then there’s Lauren Stalica—Nick Bradley’s cousin and one of the brightest softball talents to ever come out of Abington Heights. A dominant pitcher and first baseman, Lauren is just as dangerous at the plate as she is in the circle. Her résumé speaks for itself: PA Class 5A Pitcher of the Year, All-State First Team, and now a freshman at Division I Saint Joseph’s University. She closed her high school career with more than 400 strikeouts.

In 2024 and 2025, she was the heartbeat of Abington Heights’ varsity team, leading them to District 2 Class 5A championship games. With her blend of power, precision, and poise, Lauren has carved her name into the rich legacy of NEPA softball—and shown that athletic excellence runs deep in the Bradley family tree.

Respect From Across the Diamond:

Valley View’s longtime coach, Jason Munley—who coached current major leaguers Mason Black and Max Kranick—knows firsthand what it’s like to face Nick Bradley.

“His dominance on the mound. A plus fastball in the low-90s is very difficult for high school hitters. They just don’t see it that often. He is also a fierce competitor. Abington is lucky to have him,” Munley said.

He sees more than just talent. “He’s a great leader. The whole team feeds off of him. When he gets in a rhythm on the mound, he’s tough to stop.”

Munley added: “I spoke to him a few times on the field. He was a true gentleman and very humble. He obviously works very hard at his craft and is very confident in his abilities. From a coach’s standpoint, he’s everything you want in a ballplayer. I wish him the best. He will be successful no matter what path he takes in life.”

A Role Model for the Next Generation:

For all of Nick’s achievements on the field, what may matter most is the way he’s already influencing the next generation. Jenna trains around 50 young girls in softball, and Nick has sat on a bucket catching for nearly all of them.

“He doesn’t have to do it—he wants to,” Jenna said. “He’s the first to volunteer, the first to show up at camps, and the first to give back to the same Little League that raised him. That says a lot about his character.”

By giving his time, encouragement, and presence, Nick has become more than just a top recruit—he’s a role model. He shows local kids that hard work, humility, and giving back are just as important as throwing 90-plus on the radar gun.

And that’s the Bradley–Schmidt–Stalica legacy at its core: not just championships, but impact.

And now, the Auburn Tigers are betting on him too.

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