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
