LaGravenis sparks TCNJ with stellar play atop lineup
When you are playing youth baseball, it seems the lower the number the smaller the jersey size.
Once Mike LaGravenis got the No. 1, he liked it and continues to wear it these days at The College of New Jersey.
If numbers were issued by heart, determination, talent and being a consummate team player, LaGravenis would be wearing triple digits.
“I’ve worn No. 1 my whole life really because it’s usually the smallest jersey,’’ joked the TCNJ junior infielder. “When I was younger I would have loved to wear No. 13 like A-Rod, but it never fit. So I kind of got forced into wearing 1 and stuck with it from there.’’
When you have a career .306 average in 88 starts, 113 career hits, 46 stolen bases and have earned All-Conference honors, it seems like the No. 1 jersey is proving to be pretty large for the Lions.
The College of New Jersey started the season with 12 straight wins, and once the New Jersey Athletic Conference schedule arrived, things tightened up as it is 4-5 over the last nine games including a loss to Rutgers-Camden on Sunday.
The No. 21-ranked Lions are 16-5 and currently in fourth place in the NJAC.
They have Alvernia (169) at George Ackerman Park on Tuesday, then there’s a home and away series with Stockton (1210, 3-1 NJAC), and the Lions end the week with a Saturday doubleheader against New Jersey City (6-13, 1-5 NJAC) at home in Ackerman Park.
“It’s obviously never fun to lose games like that, especially after winning 12 straight it kind of comes as a shock and it can definitely deflate a team if you let it,’’ said LaGravenis. “But we’re a very tight knit group and we have great leadership from our seniors who did a great job reminding us of the bound to happen ups and downs of a baseball season. I think that losing a few kept us humble and reminded us we have to keep working hard.’’
TCNJ’s leadoff batter and second baseman is hitting .319 this season. He has drawn 15 walks and is 16-for-16 in stolen base attempts.
“The best part about being a leadoff hitter is having the opportunity to hit in front of hitters like Justin Marcario, Andrew Fernandez, Chris Reeder and Ryan Goodall,’’ said LaGravenis. “Those guys are awesome at putting the ball in gaps and over the fence, so I just try to have smart at bats, see a lot of pitches, and do my best to get on base for them so they can drive me in.’’
It has been the fast start and the steady play that has the Lions ranked in the top-25, and now the key is to move up in the rankings.
Rowan is No. 10 and Montclair State is ranked 20th.
“It’s definitely cool since it’s the first time we’ve been ranked in my time here,’’ said LaGravenis. “But, we try not to pay too much attention to rankings and pools and stuff like that. Last year we were never ranked and ended up going on a nice run at the end, beating some teams that were ranked pretty high. So we all try to just play our game and remember the only opinions about our team that really matter to us are the ones of the 33 guys in the dugout.’’
The game means a lot to LaGravenis, and what makes it so great is his bond with his teammates and the unending support from family.
“My teammates have been my greatest role models on the field, especially the ones who were seniors when I was a freshman. Those guys were great players but even better teammates. They really taught me how much it means to play for TCNJ.’’
And it has been the unwavering belief of his father that Mike credits for so much of his success, on and off the field.
“My Dad has been a great role model as he’s done everything for me,’’ said Mike. “I really don’t think he’s missed a game of mine ever. I know he hasn’t missed in my three years playing college. Even when I was out for a couple weeks last year with a broken wrist, he made it to every game no matter how far and made sure to go eat with me after our home games. He’s the best and I wouldn’t be playing college baseball without him.’’
The number started out as a size, and now it’s impossible to measure what No. 1 Mike LaGravenis has meant to The College of New Jersey baseball team.