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Four years ago, Jimmy Semaschuk showed up at the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) baseball field with limited experience and knowledge of the game.

This season, the Whitehorse athlete was named a Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) second team all-麻豆社区for the second year in a row.

"Jimmy was a kid who just wanted to play,鈥� said Ray Chadwick, head coach of the TRU WolfPack baseball team. "So he hit the weight room, showed up everyday and made himself into a more than decent college baseball player.鈥�

This year marked Semaschuk's fourth and final season with the WolfPack and it was a season that began in tragedy.

Tyler Lowey, one of his closest friends on the team and a major league prospect, had his dreams put on hold after losing his right eye.

Lowey was at the plate in early October when a foul ball struck him in the face. He found out the next day that he'd lose the eye.

Semaschuk and his teammates were stunned by the injury.

"You can either let it hurt you and take over the team or you can come together and push through,鈥� said Semaschuk. "We really came together as a team and that says a lot about our dynamic as a team.鈥�

Halfway through the season, Lowey returned to the WolfPack.

Despite the injury, he continued to be a productive member of the team, making use of his athleticism and previous experience on the field.

"It was very inspirational,鈥� Semaschuk said of Lowey's return to action.

"We came to look at it as every game could be your last, so just leave it all on the field.鈥�

Semaschuk has never been a player that needed to search for inspiration.

"He's a worker,鈥� said Chadwick, a former MLB starting pitcher who spent time with the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, and Florida Marlins organizations.

"I didn't have to push him, he just wanted to get better and he worked at it and did it.鈥�

Semaschuk, who hopes to join the RCMP when his playing days are over, is looking to take his game south of the border next season.

He's drawn interest from several U.S. schools and is aiming to make a decision by early August.

In the meantime, he'll be playing for the Kamloops Sun Devils alongside fellow Yukoner and second baseman Matt Whiteford.

Semaschuk credits hard work and the coaching of Chadwick and WolfPack assistant coach, Frank Ingram, as keys to his development as a player.

Semaschuk first caught the eye of Chadwick while playing in the British Columbia Premier Baseball League, a league that helped develop MLB talent such as Brett Lawrie, Justin Morneau and Jeff Francis.

"He told me I had what it takes to play in this league, which was an honour in itself.鈥�

Semaschuk heeded Chadwicks' advice and made his way to Thompson University.

By his third season, the kid from the small town with limited experience was the starting right fielder.

"I surpassed all my goals,鈥� said Semaschuk.

"I never took for granted the time that I had, I was always working on something, trying to get better because you never know what's going to happen in the future.鈥�

He credited Chadwick for honing in on his talents and making him a better player.

"He's been a great friend to me as well as a mentor, as well as assistant coach Frank Ingram, he knew my potential and he worked my strengths. It really benefited me.鈥�

Semaschuck is a utility player, capable of spending time at first base, right field or as a designated hitter.

His strength, though, is at the plate.

"He's got above average power, he's a power hitter,鈥� said Chadwick.

Semaschuk said people continue to be surprised by his development as a player.

"When I tell them I'm from Whitehorse and I only have a year and a half experience, they can't believe it,鈥� he said.

"It's just one of those things, you have to push yourself. I didn't see myself any differently. I didn't think just because I'm from a small town I'm not going to crack a starting position. I wanted to be the best on the team.鈥�

His dedication to the game hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates.

"He got stronger, worked on his defence, he got a lot better in the outfield and he helped us out all year long,鈥� said Chadwick.

"He's a great guy, he's a team guy for sure, all his teammates love Jimmy.鈥�

"I was always putting myself in a situation to get better,鈥� said Semaschuk.

"For me, and for the young kids out there, just because you're from a small town doesn't mean you can't follow your dreams.鈥�