Nick Stavinoha used to crush a lot on the football field. Running backs, tight ends, wide receivers and quarterbacks – it did not matter who came in his vicinity, the middle linebacker would do his best to lay a smashing hit.
After being a part of the University of Houston football team in 2000 and redshirting his freshman year of baseball, Stavinoha decided it would be best to pursue baseball.
He said this decision was made easier when the coaching staff, led by head coach Dana Dimel, would not allow the Jersey Village High School graduate and Texas Top 100 football recruit travel with the baseball team.
So the Houston native decided to take his crushing mentality to San Jacinto Junior College where he starred as a catcher and designated hitter.
In his freshman year at SJJC, Stavinoha hit .377 with 24 home runs and 87 RBIs. Last year he hit .391 with 13 home runs and 45 RBI. He had 47 hits in just 120 at-bats in 2003.
A 2003 National Junior College Athletic Association Division I All-American, Stavinoha was selected in the 39th round by the Houston Astros in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft.
“In the past I relied mostly on power,” said Stavinoha, who drew praise from LSU teammates after solid fall practice performances. “I try to drive the ball on the first two strikes. Normally my key to success is doubles. I shoot for the gaps and down the lines.”
Stavinoha joins Matt Liuzza and Dustin Weaver as the Tigers’ most experienced catchers for this coming season.
Liuzza returns after a successful true freshman season in which he was pushed into duty as the Tigers’ main catcher due to a season-ending injury to Weaver.
Liuzza hit .312 with four homers and 26 RBI. He had an on-base percentage of .390.
“It was difficult,” Liuzza said of being thrown into the fire as a true freshman. “Not so much playing, but being in shape to play that number of games. This year I’m in much better shape as far as the body goes. I just need to get the arm in shape.”
Liuzza currently has a minor elbow injury. Though he said he could play right now, the coaches did not want to push him in fall practice.
Liuzza has come away impressed with Stavinoha and the way he performed in fall practice.
“I know that more than three-fourths of his hits have been extra base hits,” Liuzza said. “He showed he can play here. He’s going to be special.”
Stavinoha said he likes hitting coach Turtle Thomas’ approach to teaching the art of hitting.
“It’s a lot of drill work,” Stavinoha said. “He focuses on the little things, which I like. Covering the minor things makes you a better hitter.”