College Baseball: Vanguard’s Rojas in the comfort zone
Faith allows Jose Rojas to trust that things happen for a reason. But when it comes to individual and team success on the baseball diamond, he isn’t willing to leave anything to chance.
The Vanguard University shortstop has made things happen at both of his collegiate programs. As a freshman in 2013, he helped Fullerton Community College claim its first Orange Empire Conference championship in more than a quarter century and advance to the four-team state championship tournament.
In his first season with the Lions, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound junior has been nothing short of a one-man wrecking crew. He leads the team in most offensive categories and has propelled it to the NAIA World Series, which begins Friday in Lewiston, Idaho.
In four victories at one of nine five-team NAIA first-round tournaments last week, Rojas went eight for 16 with seven runs batted in and two home runs. For the season, he is hitting .333 with a team-best 12 homers and 57 RBIs. He shares the team lead in batting average and tops the Lions in hits (75), doubles (15), extra-base hits (29), total bases (130) and slugging (.578).
His offensive production far surpasses his two-year totals at Fullerton, where he had no home runs, 39 RBIs and just 10 extra-base hits in 273 career at-bats.
“He’s a really special player who does things the right way, plays hard, and is just gifted,” Vanguard Coach Rob Pegg said of the All-Golden State Athletic Conference honoree and the GSAC’s Gold Glove shortstop. “He’s a complete player and he’s not a Prima donna. He’s a blue-collar guy who does the small things. And he has really emerged as a leader.”
Rojas said he is not surprised by his offensive windfall this season, nor the program’s first World Series appearance since 1985.
“I don’t think it has happened by mistake,” Rojas said. “I feel like we worked hard to not be surprised about having this opportunity in this moment. I feel like we are here for a reason.”
Rojas, a three-time first-team All-Orange League player at Anaheim High who also earned All-Orange Empire Conference laurels at Fullerton, has the same no-nonsense approach to his individual development.
“I just try to do my job, do the right things and play hard,” said Rojas, whose 194 assists this season rank second in the NAIA. “If you do your job, the results will come.”
Good things have come to teams with Rojas in the lineup. He is one of only two players to start all 58 games for the Lions (38-20), who are the No. 10 seed in the 10-team, double-elimination format at the World Series.
Vanguard, the No. 44 team in the 45-team first-round tournament, faces No. 7-seeded Lindsey Wilson College of Kentucky (41-17) at 9 a.m. on Friday. A win would mean a matchup with No. 2-seeded Faulkner of Alabama (48-13) on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Rojas said his entire experience at Vanguard has been blessed.
“I just feel like I’m in the right spot,” said Rojas, a kinesiology major who one days wants to be a teacher and baseball coach. “I feel very happy to be where I am and I feel like it hasn’t happened by mistake.”
Rojas didn’t hesitate when asked to convey his favorite thing about being at Vanguard.
“Peace,” he said. “The atmosphere and environment just feel really peaceful. Everyone is really friendly and easy going. And you can speak to anyone about anything. Ever since I first came here last summer, I feel like this is the place I needed to be.”
Pegg said Rojas’ ability to focus, particularly in big games, sets him apart.
“He’s a baseball purist, he loves to compete and he loves those [pressurized] moments,” Pegg said. “He doesn’t try to over think things. He sees the ball; he hits it.”
Added Rojas: “I always try to remind myself to just stay calm, relax and hit the ball hard. I think focus goes a long way. I try to stay focused and understand that it’s just another day of baseball. I try not to worry about the moment, until afterward.”