LMU's Molina Featured in The Faces of RBI 2009

HARROGATE, TN - Recently aquired Lincoln Memorial University baseball graduate assistant coach Randy Molina was featured earlier this fall in "The Faces of RBI 2009," a one hour television special that aired in mid-September focusing on the reviving of baseball in inner cities throughout the country.

Molina, was a four-year letter-winner for the NCAA Division I Stanford Cardinal and 43rd round pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft by the Seattle Mariners.  Molina comes to the Railsplitter program with a great deal of  baseball credentials.  In four years with the Cardinal, he accumulated a .316 collegiate career batting average while recording 124 hits, 21 doubles, five homeruns and 55 RBI.  Following his college career at Stanford, Molina played in 39 games for the Mariners' affiliate in the Arizona Rookie League batting .248 with 18 runs scored, five doubles, three triples, 12 RBI and one stolen base.

A native of South Gate, California, Molina came up as a product of the RBI program for inner city youth.  "Growing up in my neighborhood, you saw a lot of kids just kinda fall off," said Molina.  "RBI just kinda changes that for a lot of kids.  It just gives them a little extra and gets them back on the field and doing something positive."  Molina began playing for the Los Angeles RBI at the age of 13 and considers it to have been his big break as it gave him the valuable exposure and experience he needed. 

Twice while playing for the league Molina earned Student-Athlete of the Year (2003, '04), after being selected as the organization's Player of the Year in 2001.  "The RBI program has been a big part of Randy's life," said LMU Head Coach Jeff Sziksai.  "Without it, he probably wouldn't have had the opportunities he's had.  RBI is having a positive effect on baseball players around the country at all levels.  I'm glad that LMU has someone on staff that is a product of an organization that stands for hard work, education and values as well as athletics."

Molina joined the Lincoln Memorial University baseball program during the fall semester and has been actively helping the Railsplitters to improve on last year's 32-18 finish since.  "Randy has been a great addition to our program," said Sziksai.  "He has a really good feel for hitting and he is eager to share what he knows with our guys.  Coaching is a lot different than playing.  Randy is making the adjustment well and I think he is going to be an excellent coach."

The Railsplitters return 18 letter-winners from last years squad including six seniors and will open the 2010 spring schedule February 5 when they travel to Aiken, South Carolina for a three-game series with the University of South Carolina-Aiken. 

Which fall sport are you looking forward to the most?