Benedictine adds St. Joseph Christian standout Nick Orscheln

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Christian Lions have seen their share of talented baseball and softball players come through the program, including Lexi McDaniel, who recently signed to play softball with the four-time defending NCAA National Champion, the Oklahoma Sooners. 

Now, the baseball team has its own headline-maker. Senior and star-pitcher Nick Orscheln signed his letter of intent Wednesday to continue his academic and baseball career at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. 

“I mean, it feels amazing. From the moment I visited Benedictine College, it was just an awesome experience,” Orscheln said. “Their coach is amazing, and they've just been really nice to me and showing me how great their program is.”

Orscheln, a four-year letterwinner in baseball and basketball, has attended St. Joseph Christian since the sixth grade. Over the years, he’s sharpened his skills with several travel teams, including the Bulldogs out of Pueblo, Colorado, Dragon Elite, St. Joe Stars, St. Joe Mustangs and Marek Baseball Academy.

The long-term dedication molded a smart player, and the stats back it up. In his career, Orscheln has captured a batting average over .400, six home runs, 84 RBIs and 275 strikeouts. On the mound, he’s racked up 20 wins as a pitcher and helped lead the Lions to three Grand River Conference West team titles. He’s also a three-time all-conference, all-district and all-city selection. 

“It means so much. There have been so many great players who have gone through here,” Orscheln said. “It just means a lot. I couldn’t have done it without all my coaches and teammates, so without them, nothing was possible.”

This season, Orscheln has been walked 22 times and hit by seven pitches, as opposing teams know the type of damage the young man can do at the plate. He holds a 6-0 record on the mound with a 1.74 ERA, holding opponents to a .117 batting average and 77 strikeouts. 

He hopes to carry that success into a Benedictine program looking to rebound after finishing 16-30 last season.

“I was looking for a good environment,” Orscheln said. “I really liked the team, the coaches, everything like that, and they’re a pretty good program overall, so it was just a win-win situation.”

Orscheln plans to major in Anesthesiology.