Stefan Alinkas is a sophomore on the baseball team at Judson University.  He is from Grove City, Ohio, and is a pitcher for the Eagles. 

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By Leslie Talley

Judson Sports Information Student Assistant

For 15 years, sophomore Stefan Alinkas has dedicated his time to baseball. Although he has always had an interest in the sport, he also credits his involvement to his parents for encouraging him to play. "The thing I love most about baseball is the degree of difficulty involved in the game," Alinkas says. "In baseball, there are so many ups and downs in a 50 game schedule for eight short weeks; you have to be as mentally tough as you are physically strong."

"Baseball is unfair, even when you are fully prepared to go to battle for your team. You may fail, you may lose," Alinkas informs. Stefan tells that maintaining focus is one of the biggest factors to concentrate on in baseball. "Through all the highs and lows of the season, focusing on staying ‘even-keeled' and keeping your emotions from spiraling helps you get to the top (or bottom) of that dog pile when you're the last team standing," he states.

Time management is also one of the most important things during the season for Stefan Alinkas. "By prioritizing my activities for school [as well as] baseball helps me stay calm and not as stressed out by as much." This helps him keep the focus he strongly advocates. Alinkas goes on to further reveal, "When I'm not in class, I like to sleep, spend time with my girlfriend, watch and quote movies with friends and eat."

As a transfer student, Alinkas tells some of his experiences before Judson. "This [past] summer I was playing for AIA (Athletes In Action) in New York and during the end of the summer, God opened a door only He could," Stefan begins. "I came in contact with Coach Benjamin here at Judson University and he was willing to take a chance on me, which I was truly grateful for. I had no idea where [Judson was] or what it was about. God opened my eyes and gave me the opportunity to come here to Judson," he relays.

In addition to baseball and training, Stefan's spiritual life is also in a growing and changing process. "Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Even though I fail and screw up, He is there to guide me back along His path so He can show me His will and intention for my life." Alinkas further states, "God sent his only Son to die for me, for us, so we could have eternal salvation. My life [should] be lived for Him, so others can see how awesome He truly is."

Stefan's faith and mentality towards life has been positively influenced by family. "By far, the biggest role models in my life are my parents," Stefan reveals. "Both my mother and father have not only supported me with my athletics, but [also] with all aspects of my life. They have been the biggest influences [on me for] a relationship with Christ. [They] continue to better not only myself everyday but the world around me," Alinkas claims.

"I came to Judson because I was given a very unique opportunity to further my baseball and academic careers at a Christian school, [which is also] recognized as a successful academic university," Alinkas says in regards to his reasons for choosing Judson. "I also came to Judson to play for Coach Rich Benjamin because not only is he an outstanding baseball leader but also a great example of a leader in Christ," he continues. "Coach Benjamin first got me to buy into him as a person before he sold me the program and the great possibilities to succeed this year."

According to Alinkas, "One of the greatest quotes I've heard about baseball is this: 'Baseball supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The ‘hard' is what makes it great.'" Stefan loves the game and tries to learn more and become a student to both life and baseball. Stefan Alinkas claims, "Baseball is something you can't deny when it gets inside of you, it lights you up, and that's why I love it."