[Sly Fox]

Manay of the TCL games are on the regional FSN down here. I'll try and watch for Aaron:

Moving mountains: Faith taking Marshals' Grijalva to greater heights

By PAT TURNER McKinney Courier-Gazette
(Created: Thursday, June 22, 2006 11:42 PM CDT)


McKinney Courier-Gazette/Robert James Hughes / Marshals first baseman Aaron Grijalva is taking an aggressive approach at the plate and on the basepaths. To see more photos visit us online at www.scntx.com.

McKinney Marshals' first baseman Aaron Grijalva has been a long way from home for quite some time.

This past school year, he left his hometown of Redlands, Calif., to play baseball for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

Instead of returning home to play summer baseball, Grijalva decided to take a detour to the Texas Collegiate League.

He misses spending the summer with his family and friends, but you won't hear Grijalva complaining.

Because of a solid faith in God, Grijalva has knows no doubt he belongs in McKinney this summer.

After all, that's the same reason he decided to go to a college clear across the country.

“It's (faith) helped me get through some things,” Grijalva said. “Being away from home and my girl friend so much is really hard sometimes. Knowing God has a purpose for my life really helps me. I know God wants me here. I know it's not a mistake that I am here.”

Grijalva fit in nicely at Liberty University by becoming a Freshman All-American. Now, Grijalva is doing the same with the Marshals. He's stepped into the lineup as the Marshals' first baseman and has already made his presence felt with a 333. average and seven RBI.

Grijalva looks to do more of the same when the Marshals face Euless at 7:05 tonight at The Gabe, before hosting Mineral Wells Saturday.

“It's really nice here, I like it,” Grijalva said. “It's more like home than Virginia. It didn't take long to get used to it. The weather is like California, dry heat. Virginia is very wet and a lot of trees.

“I'm feeling comfortable in this league. This is the best summer league I've ever played in. I usually go home and play in some summer league in California just to stay sharp. This summer, I really wanted to apply myself and play in a good league. That's why I came here. I think it's paying off.”

The Marshals' first baseman has worked with a wood bat since he was 15-years-old. The competition is much more intense in the Texas Collegiate League, but Grijalva has proven to be just as tough for opposing pitching.


The ice breaker came quickly. In the season opener, he had an infield hit against Weatherford, but followed that with a towering home run in his first at bat in Game Two (against Graham). Since then, he's maintained a good pace at the plate in helping the Marshals to a 10-3 start.

“That home run really helped my confidence,” Grijalva said. “The wind was blowing in, so that was pretty cool. I want to have a good start and make an impression. It helped me feel like I belong. That really helps, because you have guys from Texas, Rice, Oklahoma and Baylor. So, you have good competition every night.”

Grijalva came into the season on a roll after a strong showing at Liberty.

The Flames set a record for wins (39-21) and were in the championship game of the Big South Conference Tournament.

Liberty struggled at the end of conference play and ended up as the fifth seed. Once the tournament began, the Flames regained their spark and knocked off No. 2 seed Winthrop twice to advance to the finals.

However, the Flames blew a 10-run lead in a 15-11 loss to sixth-seeded University of North Carolina-Asheville, missing their shot at an NCAA Regional berth.

Getting to Liberty was a clear example of Grijalva's willingness to go the extra mile.

Although he had a successful high school career, the college scouts weren't exactly knocking down his door.

The only offer came from nearby Riverside Community College (Calif.), until he heard from Liberty.

“It was kind of a fluke thing, because it came at the last second,” Grijalva said. “I believe God had a hand in it. Liberty is a great Christian school. I've learned so much and I've grown a lot there. It's been a good influence on me. I really think it was God's plan for me to go there. I've seen my faith grow.”

He's also see his baseball skills reach a new level.”

“I think it's really helped me as a player,” Grijalva said. “ When I was in high school, I was a decent player and made second team All-Conference.

“My first year at Liberty, I made Freshman All-American. I think applying myself spiritually, working hard in the weight room and at practice has really helped me. It was the right atmosphere for me. I just follow my opportunities and work hard at them. That's what I am trying to do here, too.”

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