Storrs — Troy Stefanski heard the naysayers.

You're from little Wheeler High School, what makes you think you can play Division I baseball at UConn?

Stefanski never listened to the doubters, heading to Storrs as a walk-on with hopes and dreams but no guarantees.

He just kept working, kept fighting and kept believing that eventually he'd make an impact on the UConn baseball program.

On Friday afternoon, Stefanski will be in the starting lineup, where he's been all season, when UConn (35-20-1) opens the NCAA tournament against Washington in the Conway (S.C.) Regional.

"I just always believed in myself and I was lucky enough to have coaches that believed in me as well," Stefanski said. "It's been an uphill battle from Wheeler High School. Nothing is easy out coming out of there. Losing a lot of games. Not recruited. Not really taken seriously from such a small school in Connecticut.

"Just really fighting for everything that I have."

Stefanski, a center fielder, is enjoying a career season, ranking in the top three on the team in batting average (.321), hits (68), runs scored (42), home runs (five), total bases (94), stolen bases (13), games played (56) and starts (55).

"It's just excited and I'm happy to see some hard work finally pay off," he said. "I'm just glad I can contribute on this team that can do special things."

He's defied long odds to earn a significant starting role.

Coach Jim Penders once thought Stefanski would be better off starting his college career on the junior college level at Avery Point.

"Troy is the heart and guts of our ball club," Penders said. "We thought he'd be better suited to go to Avery Point out of high school. And I don't think coach (Roger) Bidwell really wanted him. ... That wound up being a great advantage to us and he came here.

"... He wanted to stick it out here. And I'm sure glad that he did."

The Mount Everest-like climb was just starting for Stefanski.

As a freshman, he was the 35th guy on the roster, according to Penders, and had only nine at-bats. Still near the end of the bench as a sophomore, Stefanski got the attention of his teammates and coaching staff by showing off his clutch gene for the first time.

Playing at Southern Cal, Stefanski stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and delivered a three-run double that handed the Huskies a stunning 5-4 victory.

"That showed me that I could do it and I sort of belonged here," said Stefanski, who ended up missing a good portion of his sophomore season with a broken foot.

Stefanski has continued to deliver big hits for the Huskies.

Last Friday, Stefanski came through with a game-winning, walk-off single in a 3-2 win over South Florida to send UConn to the American Athletic Conference tournament final. He called it sweet redemption after "embarrassing" himself in a couple previous at-bats.

"He's risen to the occasion throughout his career," Penders said. "But this year he's really put it all together."

The feel-good story will live on long after he's graduated.

Penders plans on pointing to Stefanski's rise from walk-on to starter on an NCAA tournament team as an example on the recruiting trail to Connecticut high school players.

"You may not have a scholarship coming in but you also may be helping us compete for national championships if you'll agree to come here," Penders said. "Why don't you come on board and take a chance on us?

"We need those guys to embrace that. He along with a lot of other guys in the past are now models of how important that is to our success."

Stefanski isn't ready for his final season to end just yet. He's having too much fun. He has faith that the Huskies can go on a magical postseason ride.

"Playoff baseball is always bonus baseball," Stefanski said. "We'll just try to go out and have some fun and win some baseball games. Maybe mess around and go to a Super (Regional). You never know. ... It's just exciting to be here. And I'm going to enjoy every minute."

Come summer, Stefanski hopes to get a chance to pursue a professional baseball career. Not bad for a player from little Wheeler High School in North Stonington.

"Troy has been great," volunteer assistant coach Chris Podeszwa said. "He's refused to accept where people have tried to pigeon-hole him. He's kind of a microcosm of the program in that people tell us, 'you can't compete, you're from New England. Troy, you're from Wheeler, you can't compete. You're from little Wheeler, how are you going to play at UConn?'

"He just refused to listen to all the negativity and continued to work day in and day out and make himself into a really good college baseball player. He's led us with not only with his ability on the field, he's led us off the field. He's a really good kid. It's a testament to his family and himself."

g.keefe@theday.com