Stan the man helps
make the big sweep

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

When Stan Orzechowski steps up to the plate, people tend to notice.
The Temple University senior already has slugged 37 hits this season, including six doubles and three home runs, and has 23 RBIs.
"I don’t get up there and try to hit the ball out of the park," said Orzechowski, a 2004 graduate of North Catholic High School. "My main goal is to hit the ball hard. If it falls in or if someone catches it, OK. But if I go up there and hit the ball hard every time, then I’m doing my job."
It’s certainly been a job well done. In addition to his clout at the plate, the outfielder has a pretty good glove — his .971 fielding percentage also has helped the Owls push ahead after dancing around the .500 mark for most of the season.
"The record speaks for itself," he said. "It’s up and down. I think we have a solid team. I definitely think we have what it takes."
The Owls were hooting after three consecutive victories last weekend, completing a series sweep of Duquesne University.
Temple has won six of its last seven games, extending the team’s overall record to 20-17. With that recent streak of success, the Owls were standing at 11-4 in league play this week, tied for first place in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Before he became a heavy hitter at Temple University, Orzechowski refined his game while attending Gloucester County College in Deptford, N.J., where he played ball with the Roadrunners.
"You only have two years at the junior-college level, so as soon as you go in, it’s hardcore," he said. "You just jump into the game — there is no acclimation period. You just have to be able to perform right away. You either get it together or you fall apart."
Orzechowski was an instant hit. As a freshman he batted .359 with 48 RBIs, 14 doubles and two home runs, helping his squad to an unforgettable season that ended with an NJCAA Division III national championship victory in 2005.
"I had no idea what I was getting myself into at Gloucester," Orzechowski said with a laugh. "As soon as it started, you had that feeling. The team had the chemistry. I knew we had a great team. It was just a matter of us performing.
"Winning the national championship was an amazing feeling," he added. "It was definitely the highlight of my baseball career."
Less than one year after being crowned a national champ, the Roadrunners found themselves battling for the title again, but this time they fell in the NJCAA Division III College World Series.
"It was a tough loss the second time," said Orzechowski, who led his squad with 60 hits and 51 runs that season. "To be a leader you need to have felt loss. That was a tremendous loss and it pushed me to work harder."
After completing two seasons at Gloucester, it was time for Orzechowski to take the next step.
He knew just where to go.
"My coach got a coaching job at Temple University and recruited me," he said of Rob Valli, who led the Roadrunners during Orzechowski’s days with the team. "I’m happy with my decision to come here. My family is local. Everyone I know is local. I know the area. It’s a good fit."
The player-coach chemistry that developed at Gloucester County College quickly resumed on North Broad Street, when Valli and Orzechowski were reunited at Temple last year.
"I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Stan for a few years now," said Valli. "He’s worked very hard to make himself into a great player. He’s been able to refine his game and make his strengths even stronger."
Orzechowski led the squad with at bats (235), runs (52) and doubles (20). He also clubbed six homers and had 32 RBIs during his Owl debut.
"It definitely helped me out tremendously going to a two-year college, then coming here," he said. "It made me that much better of a player."
The Owls’ fortunes, though, weren’t as bright. Temple finished last season with an 18-37 overall record.
Now it’s a new season and a new chance for a winning record. With six seniors forming a solid core of players, the Owls have taken to the field with plenty of confidence and talent.
"I try to be the person who sets a good example on and off the field for the younger players," said Orzechowski, referring to the 15 underclassmen on the Owls’ roster. "I always try to make myself approachable, and I think that lets them trust me more."
When Orzechowski isn’t leading the way for his white-and-crimson teammates, he can be found mentoring children at Ripken Baseball Camps during the summer.
"I’ve been a player my entire life, so it’s nice to have the role of coach or instructor," said Orzechowski, who works as a camp instructor for kids ages 8 to 16. "Working on the field with kids all day was an awesome experience. And it helped me out as a baseball player."
So what is it like to work next to a baseball legend like Cal Ripken and his brother Bill, also an ex-major leaguer?
"They’re just normal guys," said Orzechowski. "It was just an amazing experience to work with them. It was great to have an opportunity to pick their brain a little. They’re down-to-earth people. After forty years of playing the game, they’re still excited to be around baseball every day."
And Orzechowski plans to follow in their footsteps. After graduating with a degree in sports and recreation management, the baseball buff hopes to follow his dreams of working in youth sports.
"I definitely plan to stay in the game," he said. "Every part of baseball has its own individual aspects that are great. Something spectacular can happen at any time. That’s what I love about baseball." ••