10 SECONDS with Jarek Krajewski

By Justin Siewierski; Editor-in-Chief

On April 27, 2017

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10 SECONDS with Jarek Krajewski

Justin Siewierski

Editor-In-Chief

js2010@plymouth.edu

With the Plymouth State baseball team winning five of their last eight, offensive production has finally come in droves. Scor- ing 78 runs in 72 innings of baseball does not come easy, and when it happens there is usually a reason. For senior Jarek Krajewski, time is running out to capture an LEC championship, and the second half of his final season has woken up one monster of a bat.

Known on campus as “Juice,” the 6’2” first baseman has driven in 16 runs in the eight game stretch. With five homeruns in a span of five games, he’s currently second on the team in RBI with 28. At first base, Krajewski has a .994 fielding percentage in his career; at the plate, the sports management major has a .320 career batting average. With 42 career extra base hits and 145 career games in a Panther uniform, Juice sat down to discuss his final season in this week’s installment of 10 Seconds.

When did you first start playing baseball?

I first started playing baseball when I was five.

What was your "welcome to baseball" moment?

My "welcome to baseball" moment was the first time I went to Fenway Park with my dad to watch the Red Sox play the St. Louis Cardinals. Walking out to see the green grass, the green monster, and Pesky Pole is always something that you will remember. Then knowing all of the history and great players that are associated with Fenway Park really made it my "welcome to baseball" moment that I got to share with my dad.

What's been your greatest moment at Plymouth State?

My greatest moment at Plymouth State had to be last year against Eastern Connecticut State University in the second game of a doubleheader at Panther Park where we won 2-1. I hit two home runs including the walk off home run to win the game. That was the first time we have ever swept Eastern Connecticut so it was a huge moment in our season.

How has being a collegiate athlete changed the way you go about your day-to-day routine?

Just having everything planned out throughout the week. I feel like I am more organized and have everything written down because of class, lifts, practice, or a game, including homework. My day-to-day routine is probably more structured being a collegiate athlete, which I personally like.

Why did you choose PSU?

I chose Plymouth State because of the academics that included the major I wanted to study in Sports Management. I chose PSU because of the atmosphere around the campus and because of Coach Jenkins. Coach Jenkins was straight forward when I met with him during the recruiting process, which is something that really stood out to me. Then I got to meet the guys on the team and after meeting them I knew that this was a brotherhood, which really made my decision an easy one on coming to PSU.

What is your pre-game routine?

Try to get down to the field early. Listen to music and hit off the tee to loosen up. Then we take our pre- game batting practice. After that, I go in to get taped up by our Trainer Brian (King Needle). We stretch and loosen up our arms before we take our infield and outfield. Coach has a pre-game meeting with us and then we take the field.

Over the past few years, you've been known around the LEC for your power. How have you kept your numbers up, and how have you gotten into the groove you are currently in?

I have kept my numbers up by making sure I am swinging at the pitches that I know I can drive. Just looking for a pitch and knowing that I am able to be on time and put a good swing on it where I can do some damage. Being able to understand how the pitcher is trying to pitch me from team to team and making adjustments during the game. Recently, I made a few adjustments in my swing that have helped me be on time with the pitches that I know I can drive that has put me in the groove that I am currently in.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

In the next five years, I see myself graduating from law school and looking to become a sports agent at a firm that represents Major League Baseball Players.

If a recruit asked you why they should choose Plymouth, what would you say?

I would say that they would be joining a brotherhood where your teammates will become your best friends for the rest of your life. We play in one of the hardest conferences in Division III in the Little East. You will have professors that will help you have success in the classroom and coaches that will help you have success on the field. Plymouth State is a place where you will get great academic as well as athletic experiences.