Known for highlight catches, former Seton Hill standout Derek Orndorff is showing HR power at Liberty
Derek Orndorff has become known for his highlight catches in center field.
The grad student baseball player at Liberty has made ESPN SportsCenter’s Top Plays three times in less than a year. He even grabbed the show’s No. 1 highlight on Feb. 19 with a diving snag on the warning track against Florida.
But Orndorff, a former Seton Hill standout, is no one-trick pony.
As good as he is with a glove, he might be better with a bat in his hands.
Whether he is using leather or aluminum, he thrives in the power alleys and swings for the fences. He might soon be making late-night highlights for his towering home runs.
Orndorff launched two homers Sunday, giving him 10 for the season, a total that leads NCAA Division I.
He appears to be saving his best for last as he chases a career at the next level. Bookend stops at Division I programs is a unique path but one he is embracing.
A Connellsville grad who began his college career at Penn State, Orndorff has a team-leading .441 batting average (15 for 34) and also leads the Flames (10-1) in RBIs (20) and runs scored (19).
It’s early, but the redshirt senior’s slugging percentage is a whopping 1.324. He was named the ASUN Player of the Week.
Orndorff attended Seton Hill for two years and made Atlantic All-Region and the All-PSAC West First team. He hit .353 with 15 home runs, 43 RBIs and 53 runs in 43 games for the Division II Griffins.
He hit .404 as a freshman at Penn State, where he also played two seasons.
Derek Orndorff. National home run leader. pic.twitter.com/7NwEa4dU4B
— Liberty Baseball (@LibertyBaseball) March 6, 2022
This Derek Orndorff catch is ????????!!#NCAABaseball x ???? @LibertyBaseball pic.twitter.com/q27pXLaq6b
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) February 19, 2022
Orndorff with a leaping grab out in center field. pic.twitter.com/kGFG3Q2FF8
— Liberty Baseball (@LibertyBaseball) February 26, 2022
BB: A familiar face on this morning's #SCtop10. Derek Orndorff makes his second appearance this season on SportsCenter with another amazing catch. pic.twitter.com/ZmEJIOqCfO
— SHUGriffin Athletics (@GriffinsSports) June 9, 2021
Confirmed: Derek hits dingers. ????
The nation’s home run leader is also the ASUN Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/3Xm9I70XwP— Liberty Baseball (@LibertyBaseball) March 7, 2022
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
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