Aug. 6, 2009
CORVALLIS, Ore. - By Casey Grogan, The OSU Daily Barometer
For 17 straight games Richie Jimenez was on base, the UNLV-bound shortstop lit up opposing pitchers during the longest Corvallis Knights hitting streak since Zach Kosturos hit in 17 straight in 2003.
For many players, going on a streak like Jimenez did means they are seeing the baseball better than ever, often likening the small white ball to a large colorful beach ball. Of course, to Jimenez there were times like this, but in a sport like baseball sometimes a player needs more than just skill.
"When it looked real big I sometimes felt I tried to do too much," Jimenez said. "You have to stay within yourself and control what you can control."
For Jimenez, controlling what he can control has helped propel him from community college standout to a player bound for a Division I program.
"It's good to see him go to a spot like that," said pitcher Eddie Orozco of UC Riverside. "Hopefully, we'll get a chance to play him next year, that'd be fun. I am glad to see he is going places and doing his thing, he deserves it."
After four years at Diamond Bar High School in his hometown of Diamond Bar, Calif., Jimenez made his way nearly 30 minutes down the road to Riverside Community College - but only for classes and games. During his two years at RCC, Jimenez remained at home in Diamond Bar living with his family.
After his freshman season with the Tigers, Jimenez lived on his own for the first time in his life. The summer after his first season at RCC, Jimenez traveled north to Corvallis in order to join the Corvallis Knights.
"Playing with the Knights was a big stepping stone for me," Jimenez said. "I'd never been on my own until I came out here. I got my feet wet, with having a roommate and having responsibilities."
Two summers in a college town like Corvallis may have given Jimenez his first chance to live on his own, away from Diamond Bar, but it is a far cry from the town he will be attending college in - Las Vegas.
"I talk to my [UNLV] roommates, like every other day, and they are so pumped," Jimenez said. "They are getting the house ready, remodeling and want me to get there to hangout."
Before heading out to Sin City, Jimenez must finish up what the Knights have started in Corvallis. After being a part of last seasons' WCL Championship team, Jimenez and many other Knights returned to Corvallis for a chance at a repeat.
After missing the first 10 days of the season, Jimenez strolled into Goss Stadium on June 19 with a smile on his face. Greeted by hugs from returning teammates, Jimenez was rushed into a uniform during the Knights batting practice session. Just as fast as Jimenez was put into a jersey, he was in the batting cage knocking balls around the field.
He continued to knock balls around that day with a 2-3 night at the plate during a start at third base against Bellingham. The type of performance Jimenez displayed during the Knights 7-0 victory over the Bells was one that has made him a fan favorite in Corvallis.
Corvallis fans, accustom to cheering on their OSU Beavers, have become used to Jimenez reaching back on a play deep in the hole at short and firing the ball across the infield. When a ball is hit toward Jimenez, it is almost expected that if he can reach it, then the runner will be thrown out.
"It means a lot to me," Jimenez said. "To be a fan favorite anywhere is always good. You just try and do the best you can on and off the field and be the greatest person, that's all you can do."
Spending his time on the left side of the infield, Jimenez has flashed his arm from shortstop and third base. As beautiful as it is to watch Jimenez dive toward the foul line at third, stand up and gun a runner down at first, it is his play up the middle with second baseman Josh Hogan that brings the Corvallis crowd to its feet.
During a recent home game, Hogan ranged as far as he could behind second base, diving to keep the ball from leaving the infield. Running over as well, Jimenez was in perfect position for Hogan to shovel the ball out of his glove to his teammate. No out was recorded on the play, but that didn't stop a chorus of "wows" from making there way around Goss Stadium.
"I have a play where if I make a play up the middle or am off-balance, he is there for me to flip it to," Hogan said. "We've tried it and it hasn't worked out perfectly, but I've never had that with any other shortstop I've played with. We just know where the other is going to be."
Having already clinched the West Division regular season title and the most-wins in league history, Corvallis is in line to earn back-to-back titles. A big piece of the Knights success has been Jimenez.
"You can just go up to the mound and say, 'I'm going to throw fastballs everywhere and you can just hit them to Richie all day,'" Orozco said. "He just keeps getting better and better."
