Tenison takes his cuts with Crestwood
Sandburg product also pitches but ‘can definitely hang his hat on hitting’
Andrew Tenison has always been a two-way player.
This summer, he will continue to both pitch and play the infield for the Crestwood Panthers, but he intends to use the Midwest Collegiate League season to develop as a hitter.
“I don’t think I’m going to be a pitcher on the D-I or D-II levels, so I’m focused mainly on hitting,” he said. “I’ve got to get the barrel on the ball consistently.
“The other thing I’m working on is my speed. I’m a slow guy and everyone knows it, so I’m working on moving laterally to be able to make all the plays at third base.”
Tenison, a Sandburg graduate, played just five games at Moraine Valley Community College this spring before the season was cut short. He plans to return next spring to the Cyclones.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to go back to Moraine and get stronger, faster, see more pitching and hopefully get a chance to carry on my career somewhere,” he said. “Hopefully in the south where it’s warm.”
He began his collegiate career in 2019 at Lewis University, hitting .230 in 21 games as a freshman.
The limited at-bats Tenison has had over the last two years made the opportunity to play every day this summer all the more valuable.
“It’s extremely important,” Tenison said. “I didn’t play last summer because I was coming off jaw surgery. I was splitting time at Lewis, so I haven’t played a full season where I was playing every day since 18U ball the summer after my senior year of high school.
“This is big for me. If I can come out and play to the best of my ability, that will give me something to show schools.”
Tenison is off to a slow start for the Panthers, hitting .125 over the first nine games as Crestwood started 3-6.
He gained some confidence Thursday, however, by blasting a home run in the Panthers’ 10-9 loss to the Southland Vikings.
“It felt good,” Tenison said. “He threw me back-to-back sliders. He hung the second one and I put a good swing on it and got the result.
“It just feels great to be back playing the game I love and grew up playing. It’s so good to be back out here after being home for four months.”
Crestwood manager Isaac Valdez was happy to see Tenison make an adjustment.
“The at-bat before, he kind of waved at the ball,” Valdez said. “He doesn’t have speed, so he can’t be waving at the ball and trying to beat out an infield single. So, I told him, ‘Keep the back side in there, try to hit a home run.’ Then he did. He made me look smart.”
Tenison has made three relief appearances on the mound for the Panthers, recording a save and not allowing a run over four innings.
With the team scheduled to play every day for a month and a half, Valdez is happy to use Tenison in a variety of roles.
“It’s huge to have a two-way guy and a guy that can play multiple positions,” Valdez said. “I can put him at first or third. I can have him DH. I try not to put him on the field on days when I think he might pitch in relief. His versatility is really huge when you’re playing 46 games in 46 days.
“Right now, his mechanics are a little off offensively, but going forward, he can definitely hang his hat on hitting. He can hit the ball.”