Sikes Orvis Embraces New Role as Team Leader

One thing has always been known about Sikes Orvis on the diamond: the guy’s got pop. The senior from Orlando, Florida is affectionately known by fans by a variety of nicknames including the Sultan of Swayze, the Endower of Beer Showers, and el caballo blanco. A common theme connecting the Babe Ruth, Carlos Lee and student section celebration references? Power. Orvis has a lot of it, too.

At Freedom High School, Orvis hit 16 home runs in his career, good enough for a 19th round selection by the Boston Red Sox after his senior year. In three years in Oxford, he’s already surpassed that total with 18 and looks to get close to doubling that mark by seasons end. While the power has always been his calling card, it’s his transition to a new role that may prove to be most important to the Rebels: leadership.

“When I came in there was a huge learning curve for me especially being behind Matt (Snyder),” he said of his transitions from high school to where he is now. “Then after a rough year as a sophomore I really got back to basics, got a stronger work ethic and a new mindset.”

After the departures of Will Allen, Austin Anderson, Auston Bousfield, Braxton Lee and Preston Overbey, Orvis will be one of just two position-player seniors along with catcher Austin Knight. That fact weighs heavily on him as he is looked upon as an example by many of the younger players.

“I want everyone to be relaxed, to laugh and just have fun,” he said. “I want them to know it’s still the same game they’ve been playing, just faster.”

Between junior college transfers and true freshmen, almost half of this year’s team did not experience the historic trip to Omaha last season. Orvis knows it’s part of his job to show the new guys the way.

“Last year we were picked to finish sixth in the West so there weren’t a lot of expectations on us and it’s some of the same this year,” he said. “But we worked a lot in the weight room in the offseason before last year and we did even more this year. A lot of guys were picking each other’s brains on how to grow as players and get better.”

It’s not just the weight room where Orvis has been working this offseason to improve.

“I’ve been working a lot of Coach (Ben) Fleming to become a better athlete and a better defender,” he said. “Flem and Coach (Stephen) Head have also worked with me to make me a more complete hitter.”

Orvis said he ambushed a lot of fastballs last season and believes he will face more offspeed as this year rolls along. One thing that will help his adjustments will be the new flat-seem fastballs, something he’s taken a liking to already.

“They’re awesome,” he said with a laugh. “It’s a big difference with the balls carrying about 20 feet more. Everybody, 1-9 (in the order) has a chance to hit one out.”

Coming up just short in Omaha last year weighed on him in the offseason. The success of the long run along with the abrupt ending has left him with one focus.

“I just want to win ballgames. We have the best atmosphere in the country and this place just gets buzzing when we win. I want to get back there again and win it all this time.”

Michael Quirk is a HottyToddy.com staff reporter and can be reached at michael.quirk@hottytoddy.com.