Nick Stavinoha never planned on playing baseball in college and beyond.

He figured football was his ticket.

“Football was my best opportunity at the time,” Stavinoha said. “I had a 100 percent full-ride scholarship. It gave me a lot of security financially.”

Now, baseball is providing all the security Stavinoha and his wife need. The former San Jacinto (Texas) College-North catcher, who played in the 2002 and 2003 Junior College World Series, is playing for the St. Louis Cardinals Class AAA Memphis team. He is one of 23 members to be honored this year on the Alpine Bank Junior College World Series Golden Anniversary team.

Stavinoha had a football scholarship at the University of Houston but also played baseball — when he could.

“I redshirted in football and, in a way, was forced to take a redshirt in baseball,” Stavinoha said. “I was not allowed to miss a run, session or meeting for football. At the time, I could only make 25 percent of the (baseball) games

“At the end of the year, I realized I was not happy playing football and decided playing baseball is what I love the most. I was kind of burned out playing football my first year in college.”

Stavinoha, though, was told by the Houston baseball coach he’d be better off going to a junior college for two years. He had a tryout at Panola (Texas) College, then had a tryout with San Jacinto.

Coach Tom Arrington saw enough hitting potential to offer Stavinoha a scholarship and signed him.

“Rob Penders came in as the hitting coach and helped me,” Stavinoha said. “He put a lot of hard work in with me. I give him most of the credit of my swing becoming a more polished, power swing.

“San Jac helped me out with the developmental stages of catching. They let me call my own game. I really got a kick out of working with the staff and understanding pitching.”

Stavinoha had a lot of fun making the switch back to baseball and learning more about the game.

“Those two years were two of the most enjoyable years of baseball in my life,” he said. “When I went in, the coaches stated our job was to go to Grand Junction and win the World Series. That was pretty much laid down for us Day 1. We expected to win almost every game we played in. If we were beaten, it was not taken lightly. You don’t have choice to sit back, and say ‘Hey, we lost a couple games.’ That’s not really allowed.”

The JUCO World Series was even greater than he remembers hearing about it.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I saw the NCAA Division I World Series on TV. It was a nice experience. The tournament was run really well. I really enjoyed the World Series, playing there and the entire way the series was handled. It was really professional.”

Stavinoha thrived in the tournament both years.

In 2002, he hit .591 with a slugging percentage of 1.318 and an on-base percentage of .655. He had 13 hits, including five home runs, and 14 RBI.

“We were a very young team my first year,” Stavinoha said. “Almost all nine starters were freshmen, but we had a good, talented team. In the first game, we had a couple bad breaks and lost. We battled and battled and I think end up third.

“The thing I learned, the better team doesn’t always win. That’s the great thing about baseball. It’s the better team that day. If you get hot, you can roll through series.”

San Jacinto returned the next season with most of its roster intact and Stavinoha led the way with four home runs and eight RBI.

“The second year, we were an even better team,” he said. “We had no doubt we could do it, but we couldn’t pull it off in the end.”

The Gators were the last team remaining without a loss, but were knocked off twice by a hot Community College of Southern Nevada team, including in the championship game.

“I don’t know if I have one memory, but we got into an offensive battle (in one game),” Stavinoha said. “It was a ridiculous football score. It’s been five years now and I can’t remember my at-bats from yesterday. We were down something ridiculous like eight runs, but we never gave up.

“That day, our team showed a lot of character. The opposing side did as well. It was a fun game to watch and fun to play in. That wasn’t even the championship game, but once you’re there, all the games are championship kind of games. That’s what sticks out the most, ending up on top of that game.”

Stavinoha was drafted after his freshman year at San Jacinto, but signed a letter of intent with Louisiana State University, where he earned a business management degree and became a designated hitter and outfielder.

“When I went to LSU, they had a great catcher that was a better defensive catcher than I was,” Stavinoha said. “My whole career, what’s got me to the next level has been my bat. I didn’t play one defensive inning anywhere my junior year. I was DH the whole year. It was difficult to do.

“I met with the head coach after the season and explained to him I need to get back on the field. I’m happy to do what the team needs, but I was willing to change positions. We had two outfielders drafted, so he asked if I was interested in playing outfield. I said, ‘Fine. I’m willing to play any position.’ ”

Stavinoha and the Tigers made the NCAA World Series his junior year, but were eliminated in two games. He enjoyed Omaha, but not as much as Grand Junction.

“I really enjoyed both of them obviously, but I really, really enjoyed Grand Junction,” Stavinoha said. “I can remember Grand Junction is a unique situation. Omaha is so big, it was like a business. It had a completely different feel.

“Grand Junction is a very pure World Series. Grand Junction is about baseball, family environment and kids. It wasn’t about the teams, it was about baseball. That was one thing I really loved about the JUCO World Series. Omaha, with so much going on, it was not quite about the game.”

His senior year, LSU lost to eventual champion Rice, coached by former San Jacinto coach Wayne Graham.

He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals that summer and started in Class A short season.

The next spring, he started with the Cardinals’ AA team and continued having success.

This season, he started with the Class AAA team in Memphis.

“I’ve gotten here relatively fast,” Stavinoha said. “It does usually take several years to get where I am. I was fortunate to get the opportunities and stay healthy. I did get to spend three days with (the big club in spring training this year).

“Obviously, my goal is to be in the big leagues and run from there. I would like to think I have the potential to get there. This game involves a lot of timing, breaks and a little luck.

“There are guys that hang out in Triple A for years before they get their shot and I’m aware of that. I don’t put a time limit on what I’m trying to do or achieve.

“I don’t expect to be in Triple A for eight years. I’m married, I’ve got other goals in my life. My goal is to get (to the big leagues) and secure a position.”

Then again, it’s all gravy for Stavinoha, who once thought he had a chance for a professional career in football.

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Allen Gemaehlich can be reached via e-mail at agemaehlich@gjds.com.