HAVERHILL — It really is just the pitching mound, but the smile on the face of Relfin Jimenez tells you that he feels like he is standing on top of the world.
Lawrence’s Jimenez is finishing strong in a dynamite sophomore season for the Northern Essex Community College baseball team. Coach Jeff Mejia handed the former Lawrence High Lancer the baseball in the biggest game of the year, and while Jimenez did not get the win – pitching 7.1 solid innings – the Knights did, walking off on Kingsborough CC of Brooklyn, N.Y., 7-6.
“It’s amazing to pitch here. It’s a family here, and I couldn’t be happier,” said Jimenez. “When you’re down, these guys all have your back. They’re right there supporting you. It means a lot.
“I think we can keep it going, too. I think we can go to the World Series.”
One more win would give Jimenez one more start for the Knights, in a year where he has come into his own, going 5-1 for 23-16 NECC with 61 strikeouts in 51.2 innings.
It would be the perfect way to end things with NECC for Jimenez, considering the school was a bit of a second chance.
Coming out of Lawrence High after a solid, but not spectacular Lancer career, the 5-foot-11, 155-pound righty hit the road, taking a shot at playing for Coastal Alabama Community College in Bay Minette, Ala.
After talking about it and pinning some pretty high hopes on the opportunity, things did not work out, with the experiment lasting one semester.
“It was humbling, but sometimes things just don’t work out. and I came home to find myself,” said Jimenez. “It was tough for sure. I missed Lawrence.”
Fortunately for Jimenez, like it has been and is for so many students like him, Northern Essex was there. Mejia opened the door for a second-semester entry back in January of 2023, and Jimenez went to work.
“It’s done a lot for me here. If I had stayed in other places, I wouldn’t be playing baseball right now, so I’m very grateful for this,” said Jimenez, who came to Lawrence to join his mom from the Dominican Republic in 2018. “They have given me so much support here. I got academic coaching, helping me with my classes and my English.”
On the field, his teammates, all of whom share similar hopes and interests, have been integral in the performance. Even on Friday, when Jimenez oozed toughness, gutting through the start and giving his mates a shot to win, he continues to work at his craft.
“I’m trying to figure things out on the mound, every time I’m out there,” he said.
Off the field, Jimenez has taken the responsibility to thrive seriously. With two years of college in the books, he’s hunting for a spot at a four-year school with eyes on a bachelor’s in criminal justice and aspirations of a future in police work.
Of course, for now, baseball is a top priority. He’s intent on taking it as far as he can with the ball in his lightning right arm.
“My parents would always tell me that I could make it,” Jimenez said. “For me, I always expected I could pitch in college.”
He and the Knights are hoping there is one chapter left to write. Jimenez would have it no other way.