JOior shortstop Bob Orwig has performed consistently both offensively and defensively for the Lions since start Orwig spells consistency By GREG McKELVEY Daily Collegian Sports Writer Every good baseball team has that one solid, steady team performer that never seems to get his due recognition. For the Lions that player is short stop Bob Orwig. • "I'll do anything to help this team," Orwig said. "That's the kind of player lam." Orwig, a junior from Red Lion, Pa., has been a starter from the first game he put on the Penn State pin stripes, and has been a consistent performer, both in the field and at bat, ever since his first game as a freshman. As the lead off hitter in the lineup, Orwig has done his job, hitting for a decent average using his speed to the team's advantage on the base paths. "I have always hit lead off here at Penn State," he said. "It was kind of The S • ecialists Visit us for your Mother's Day candy and gifts at our temporary location around the corner. Don't forget the folks around the corner at Mister Donut have taken us in for the rest of the Summer. Visit us in our temporary home and `. watch for our new home in the fall. I • the-candy sh® at 352 e. college ova., - hard to adjust at first because I never led off in high school, but I got used to it." "I'm a .300 hitter," he said. "There is no real difference in my hitting this year from any other season. Maybe I'm a little more patient (at the plate) this year though." The conservative Lions are not a running team, yet Orwig is the team leader in the, theft department. Although the opportunities to steal a base are limited, Orwig is more than happy to' take off for second when the chance arises. "I like to run," he said. "If the situation is right we will run, but coach Medlar does not like to steal off left-handed pitchers." . Orwig, who played under the helm of his father in high school, considers his good glove a big plus at shortstop. "I guess probably my fielding and just my gloye all around Are my best ing as a freshman. As the lead off hitter, he is batting around .300 and leads the squad in stolen bases. aspects," he said. "Not my arm. I would've said my arm though my freshman year, but sometimes I'm a little erratic throwing." "I think we could make the playoffs," he said. "We're as good as anyone in the East. We're just going to have to beat Temple and Cornell." For Bob Orwig, playing shortstop has been a way of life. Yet he realizes his size (5-8, 150 lbs.) may wipe out any chances of his playing professionally. "I have played shortstop ever since I can remember," he said. "I once had dreams of making the big leagues, but the dreams are for the most part fading. "I'm a pretty small kid, and not as big and strong as a lot of these kids coming out of high school," he said. "But if the opportunity arose I would jump at it." . . . _. ,'sue The Daily Collegian Wednesday, May 9, 1979-
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers