UCLA Shortstop Roch Cholowsky Honors Late Teammate During College Season

UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky writes the number 21 in the infield dirt and draws it with his bat before each at-bat. The ritual honors Nathan Rogalski, a pitcher on Cholowsky's U16 travel team who died before reaching college. Cholowsky said Rogalski was "a very, very nice person" and that he took personality traits from him.

The two players grew up in Chandler, Arizona, and both aimed to play professional baseball.

250 and committing more than 10 errors. Head coach John Savage kept him in the lineup to gain experience. The support helped Cholowsky improve. He earned back-to-back Big Ten player of the year honors and reached base four times in the tournament title game.

Cholowsky has known center fielder Will Gasparino since age six and catcher Cashel Dugger since seventh grade. Second baseman Phoenix Call, his roommate, said Cholowsky organizes team activities on off days. Cholowsky's parents both worked in baseball.

His father, Dan Cholowsky, played nine minor-league seasons and now scouts for a major-league team. His mother, Tika Cholowsky, chose the name Roch from her father's middle name.