University of St. Thomas Athletics
2013 Baseball Roster
Roster
Ben Podobinski
- Weight:
- null
- Class:
- Sophomore
2012 Season...Emerged as one of the top leadoff hitters and fastest players in the country as a freshman for the Tommies in 2012. Follows in a long line of a elite defending center fielders for St. Thomas dating back to Brad Bonine ('01), Brett Olson ('05), Chris Bullis ('08) and Matt McQuillan ('11). Dynamic athlete capable of making any play in center field, has game changing speed and excellent arm strength. Named to ABCA All-Midwestern Regional 2nd Team, D3Baseball.com All-Region 3rd Team and 1st Team All-MIAC selection. Finished first season in a Tommie uniform leading the team in hitting with a .368 average to go along with 57 hits, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 11 rbi's, 66 total bases, 40 runs scored, 19 walks and was 16-for-19 in stolen base attempts. Was among the nation leaders in on-base percentage with a .443 clip, which led all UST hitters, while posting a .426 slugging percentage in 155 at-bats. Started 43 games in center field for UST and registered 68 putouts, two assists and a .972 fielding percentage. Made collegiate debut against St. Scholastica (2/27/12) opening as the Tom's leadoff hitter and center fielder, collected first career hit and stolen base in the opening series sweep. Collected first career multi-hit performance against defending regional champion UW-Whitewater (3/8/12) going 4-for-5 with a stolen base. Combined to go 5-for-7 with two stolen bases in a double-header sweep over UW-Oshkosh (3/13/12) at the Metrodome. Had first MIAC multi-hit performance against Hamline University (3/31/12) going 3-for-5 with a double, stolen base and game tying two-run triple in the Tom's conference opening sweep over the Pipers at the Metrodome. Collected three stolen bases in a game twice during the season swiping three bases against UW-Lacrosse (3/5/12) and three versus Macalester (4/18/12) while also scoring a team-high five runs against St. Olaf (4/14/12) in Northfield, Minnesota. Was a key component to the Tommies 41-win season and 21 game winning streak hitting a combine .425 in the months of March and April scoring 26 runs and stealing 10 bases. Came into postseason play as one of the top hitters and base stealing threats in the country, went 2-for-6 with an rbi against St. Marys (5/12/12) and collected a 2-for-3 performance in the MIAC Championship Series against St. Johns (5/13/12) with two walks and a run scored. Regional play was cut short due to injury in opening game against St. Norbert's (5/16/12). Returned to action in the opening game of the NCAA College World Series going 3-for-4 with two walks and two runs scored against Christopher Newport (5/25/12) in Appleton, Wisconsin. Concluded postseason play with a .366 average in eight games with 11 hits, two doubles and six runs scored while posting a flawless fielding percentage of 1.000 in center field.
High School...2009 Roseville Area High School Graduate...Two-time Academic Letter Winner, Two-time Letter Winner in Baseball for the Roseville Raiders. 2008 All-Conference Honorable Mention Selection, posted team-high .500 on-base percentage. Hit .461 with 15 stolen bases in 76 at bats for Rosetown American Legion as a junior. Two-year Captain for Rosetown in Baseball (Junior and Senior). Selected to All-District Team in American Legion and was named Rosetown Team MVP in 2009. Finished Legion career with a .406 batting average and 63 stolen bases in three years. Two-time Letter Winner in Hockey for Roseville while also being selected to the Suburban East All Conference Team in 2008 & 2009. Selected All-State Honorable Mention (2008).
Personal...Son of Mike and Deb Podobinski...Majoring in Psychology...Father Mike and Uncle Mark attended the University of St. Thomas...
Biggest Sports Thrill: Playing in the 2012 College World Series and defeating Marietta in Appleton,Wisconsin.
