By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
That wasn’t much secret as to what Hayden Travinski was trying to do when he was playing baseball in high school.
“I just tried to hit the ball as hard as possible,” the LSU redshirt sophomore said.
He’s still hitting it plenty hard, but things are a lot different for the player who spent his first two years at Loyola and then his last two at Airline (he was All-State at both schools).
Travinski, who this spring has been used mostly as a pinch hitter but has had 16 starts at catcher and designated hitter, has six home runs – the most of any LSU player who is not a regular starter.
No matter how he is used, he is dangerous for opposing teams when he steps in the batter’s box.
He will be looking to get his chances this weekend when the Tigers play in the Hattiesburg Regional of the NCAA Tournament. With a 38-20 overall record, the Tigers are the No. 2 seed.
“In high school, I really didn’t really go up there (to the plate) with a plan,” Travinski said. “I’ve learned there’s a lot more that goes into it.”
There have been plenty of things he has had to learn since becoming a Tiger, mainly about dealing with injuries. He had his first knee surgery during his junior year at Airline and has had two more since coming to Baton Rouge.
“I’ve been able to contribute throughout the year,” he said. “My main thing has been being healthy. I see that as a success, to be able to play throughout the season.”
Travinski is batting .242 with three doubles and 13 RBI to go with his home run total. In LSU’s series win over Florida in late March, he hit home runs in both of the games he played. The next weekend, he had a pair of multi-hit games against Auburn and then hit two home runs against Grambling a few days later.
“All around, I think I’m a lot different,” Travinski said of the difference of him from high school. “I understand the game a lot more and I understand myself as a player a lot more. I feel like I’ve improved in every facet, whether that’s offensively or defensively; just knowing my strengths and trying to build on the weaknesses. Plus, I try to be better mentally, more controlled, having a plan, things like that you learn as you get older.”
A year ago, he had 12 starts in 29 games played with four home runs and 13 RBI.
“Last year it was kind of similar in pinch hitting,” he said. “You never know when you are going to play, so I just try to control the things I can control and put myself in the best position I can possibly be in.”
Travinski will try to put the Tigers in the best position when they take on third-seeded Kennesaw State (35-26, RPI 46) at 6 p.m. today and for the rest of the regional.
“Honestly, I feel like we could have had a better record in the SEC and overall,” he said. “We haven’t had some of our best players lately. But getting them back, getting quality at bats and playing like we can in the field … If you combine all those things, I think we have no other option but for things to go in our favor.”
Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics