When a Division I college athlete transfers schools, it could be for any number of reasons.

It could be because of a lack of playing time. Another common occurrence that prompts athletes to transfer is the firing of a head coach.

This was not the case for senior shortstop Ryan Bennett.

Bennett’s first stint as a college baseball player at Miami-Ohio was not all what he had hoped it would be. After redshirting his freshman season and sticking around for another year, he found himself questioning his decision to go to Miami-Ohio.

“To be honest, I kind of hated it there,” Bennett said.

But playing time or a coaching change had nothing to do with Bennett’s decision to transfer. More than anything, Bennett took issue with the school’s mission.

“I transferred to get back into the Jesuit community-you don’t realize why it’s so special until you leave it,” Bennett said.

Bennett attended a Jesuit high school for four years before signing his letter of intent to play baseball at Miami-Ohio. Adjusting to the public school environment in Ohio made him nostalgic to return to his Jesuit roots. Hence the reason Bennett came to Saint Louis University at the beginning of the 2006-07 school year.

It is safe to say he has found a home at SLU.

In addition to the ordeal that accompanies transferring schools, Bennett also has endured numerous injuries in his SLU career.

At one practice last fall, Bennett recalls not even being able to hold the baseball above his head because of the severe pain in his right shoulder.

“I had been having some arm problems previously. It’s a pretty common injury for baseball players-it isn’t preventable-it’s just wear and tear.”

After discussing it with Head Coach Darin Hendrickson, it was decided that Bennett would undergo shoulder surgery.

Not much later Bennett had a knee operation.

But as this baseball season commences, Bennett thinks he is better off for having to endure his injuries. It forced him to earn and value his starting job.

“When he first came in he surprised everyone. Now he is taking it in stride. This year it was his spot to lose. He took a leadership role to the younger guys; you have to go out there and earn your spot to play,” senior pitcher and fellow transfer Scott Turmail said.

The waiting period and the recovery were difficult, not only because of the pain it caused but because of the inability to play baseball.

“[Baseball] has been my love ever since I was born,” Bennett said.

Bennett grew up with the sport, as is the tradition in his family. His grandfather played minor league baseball in the ’40s.

“I had to work hard to get my arm stronger and now it’s as strong as it’s ever been. I’m very happy now I’m in really good shape.”

Bennett is indeed healthy, which bodes well on a team full of inexperienced newcomers. For the team to be successful, Bennett’s leadership and offense will be invaluable.

Last year Bennett led the Billikens with a .357 batting average, the highest at SLU since 1999. He stepped it up a notch within Atlantic 10 conferene play, hitting .379.

“Baseball is a weird sport where you fail seven out of 10 times and you’re a good hitter,” Bennett said.

Even so, Bennett says he is more of a defensive player.

“His defense is definitely something that carries him. Playing up the middle is an important spot-any team needs to be strong up the middle-and he takes a lot of pride in his defense first,” Turmail said.

But Bennett said his greatest strength is somewhat intangible.

“The knowledge of the game might be my best asset,” Bennett said.

For Bennett that means knowledge of something like aweareness of where to position himself defensively against opposing batters and other seemingly menial stuff that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.

“[Bennett’s] one of those scrappy players who just works hard,” Turmail said. “I hear the term you create your own luck. His hard work is the reason things are going his way.”