Temple transferee
is a swingin’ success

By Joe Mason
For the Times

Sometimes it’s tough for a junior college athlete to transfer to a Division 1 school.
Stan Orzechowski can honestly say he didn’t.
Orzechowski transferred from Gloucester County College in South Jersey to Temple University last summer. The 2004 North Catholic High School grad was a top player on the GCC baseball team.
Last year, when the outfielder helped the Roadrunners advance to the finals of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Division III College World Series, Orzechowski appeared in all 42 games. He excelled with the stick, hitting .346, and led the team in at-bats (159), runs (51), triples (five) and total bases (76).
That’s good for a junior college, but Division 1 is where the big boys play, right?
Well, the 6-foot, 180-pounder is proving he can play with anyone.
This year in 37 games, all starts, the leadoff hitter for the Owls holds the second most hits (52) and total bases (78).
"It’s different, but it’s not too different," Orzechowski said. "I think the biggest difference is depth, that’s probably the biggest thing.
"Last year, you would always face a good starting pitcher," he continued. "But once you got to him, it changed. Teams didn’t have that relief pitcher. This year, playing against Division 1 teams, you don’t get any easy pitches to hit. Everything is a challenge, every hit you get, you have to work for."
Orzechowski loves playing with his teammates. He also loves playing for the Owls coach, Rob Valli.
He’s pretty familiar with the skipper and the guy who recruited him to Broad Street. That’s because it’s the same guy who brought him to South Jersey in 2004.
Valli, one of the most successful coaches in Division 3 history at GCC, took over as coach of the Owls prior to the 2005 season. After Orzechowski finished up at Gloucester, he decided to follow his coach.
"I love Temple," said Orzechowski, a Bridesburg native. "I’ve spent my entire life in the city, and even when I went to Gloucester, it was in an urban environment.
"Playing at Temple has been perfect," Orzechowski continued. "I’m just happy to be playing in this kind of environment, to be learning from the staff and to be playing baseball."
Orzechowski’s game has been extremely productive and consistent, but a glance at the box score might tell a different story.
During his days as a Falcon, Orzechowski routinely blasted home runs out of the park at Castor and Cayuga. Back then, he hit in the three hole for the Falcons. Now he’s setting the table.
"It hasn’t changed, people say that, but it hasn’t," Orzechowski said. "I’ve always been a gap hitter. But in high school, we had a short porch, I was able to get the ball out. In college, those same home runs are either doubles or long outs.
"That was an adjustment, but not a real big adjustment," continued Orzechowski, who has 13 doubles and three home runs on the season for the 13-24 Owls. "I just try to hit the ball around and I just try to get on base, do anything I can to help the team."
Orzechowski has done a lot to help his squad on the field.
He’s done a lot to help himself and others away from the diamond. Orzechowski is majoring in sports and recreation management. Recently, one of his projects called for him to visit a school with children with special needs.
There, he worked as a physical education teacher and did exactly what comes naturally.
"We played ball," Orzechowski said. "I was the pitcher. A lot of the kids never swung a bat before, but they had some talent. It was a lot of fun.
"Basically, I wanted to have fun and help them have fun," Orzechowski said. "I tried to bring a smile to their face, and they looked like they were having fun. I had a great time, I know that."
Almost as good a time that he’s having on the field.
And if he continues to play the way he’s been playing, there’s a chance he could be playing long after his college days are over.
"Pro baseball is something I’d love to do," he said. "It’s not easy, everyone wants to do it, but it’s definitely something I’m shooting for.
"Right now I’m more focused on our next game, not the future," he said. "I really want to go out on a strong note. We can have a nice run before the season ends and then we’ll see where we are. I still have another year here, so I’m not too worried about the pros yet.
"But, yeah, it is something I’d love to do." ••
Joe Mason can be reached at joemason70@hotmail.com