By Chad Courrier
Free Press Staff Writer
MANKATO —
Jordan Steranka had the best batting average as a freshman at Penn State, then had the fifth-best average last spring.
This summer with the MoonDogs, he’s also the top hitter, something that comes naturally to the left-handed swinger.
“That’s always been my thing,” Steranka said. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised. The first five or 10 games, it was a little rough, but I’ve settled down and had pretty good at-bats.”
Steranka and teammate Robbie Robinson were named to the North Division team at the annual Northwoods League All-Star Game, which will be played Tuesday at Eau Claire, Wis., with professional scouts aplenty watching.
“It’s going to be a great experience,” Steranka said. “All of the All-Stars, the best of the best, in one place. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Steranka, who grew up in Pittsburgh, was an instant success at Penn State, leading the team with a .365 batting average, six home runs and 42 RBIs as a freshman. He spent last summer in the Virginia wooden bat league, and he had another solid season at Penn State, playing in all 52 games and batting .297 with 16 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 44 RBIs, which led all third baseman in the Big Ten Conference.
“I like his approach every day,” MoonDogs manager Mike Orchard said. “He doesn’t say two words, but he does his work and you know what you’re going to get from him. He’s acting like he’s a pro, and he’s only a sophomore in college.”
Steranka played exclusively at third base at Penn State, but he’s been working some at first base this summer. He knows position flexibility is important, and he hustles to his position and back to the dugout every half-inning.
“My aspirations are to play pro ball,” he said. “I have to become a better hitter, and I have to get better defensively. I just have to improve all of my game.”
This summer, he’s batting .331 with 13 doubles, two triples, one home run and 19 RBIs. He had a 16-game hitting streak early in the season, which is tied for longest in the Northwoods League this season.
Orchard said Steranka’s improvement will come by cutting down on strikeouts (32 strikeouts and seven walks in 155 plate appearances) and getting better at-bats against left-handers.
“Everything else in his game is right where it needs to be,” Orchard said. “He’s not going to get a lot of pitches to hit next year (at Penn State) so he’s going to have to deal with that.
“His at-bats are getting better. He just has to clean up his strike zone discipline a little.”
Steranka said that will come with extra batting practice. He’ll continue to play against left-handed pitchers, and there won’t be many days off the rest of the way, except the two days surrounding the All-Star game.
“I’m really looking forward to that (game),” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
