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Tuscaloosa, AL (CSTV U-WIRE) — Just two years ago, Kody Valverde was prepping for his sophomore season at the University of New Orleans, but now the catcher is a vital piece of coach Jim Wells’ plan to solve Alabama’s offensive woes.

Valverde, a 2001 graduate of Parkview Baptist High in Baton Rouge, La., signed on to play with the UNO Privateers. He had a successful career at UNO, batting .296 (74-250) in two seasons with seven long balls and 45 RBI.

Heading into the offseason after his sophomore year, Valverde felt like it was time for a change.

“Our coaches at New Orleans left, and we had a bunch of players get drafted,” Valverde said. “We only had one or two starters coming back, and we had a new coach. Basically, I was ready to take a step up. I did all I wanted to do over there, and it was time to move on.”

In his final season at UNO, Valverde battled a knee injury but managed to put up impressive numbers. In only 168 at-bats, Valverde smashed seven home runs and drove in 36 runs as he garnered first team All-Sun Belt Conference honors.

He also put up nifty numbers behind the plate. He gunned down 18 of 51 (35.3 percent) potential base stealers. He was voted a member of the 2004 ABCA All-South Region team.

Valverde turned to Alabama because of trips to Wells’ baseball camps during high school. He became a fan of Dax Norris, former Alabama All-American catcher, and it just so happened that the Tide was in need of an experienced catcher after losing Jeremy Brown to the Major League Baseball draft.

However, he quickly found out that the transition was not going to be easy. In his first season at the Capstone, Valverde hit only .240 (41-171).

“It’s a different league over here,” Valverde said. “The SEC is the best competition in the nation. It was a new environment and a new everything, so I just had to get used to it for a little while.”

Valverde’s power numbers increased at the start of SEC play. He matched his career total with seven homers a year ago, and six of those came against conference opponents.

Valverde’s value behind the plate has soared this year. His backup, David Ferazza, was sidelined in the fall with a torn triceps, and his effectiveness in the spring is yet to be determined.

He is one of three returning position players for the Tide along with center fielder Emeel Salem and second-sacker Evan Bush.

“We have a few guys on this team that need to step up and be leaders,” Valverde said. “Us three [returning position players] have to step up and lead this team in order for us to be a quality ball club.”

He has already taken a big step toward being an offensive leader for Alabama with his performance in the season-opening series against Winthrop over the weekend.

Valverde hit a two-run homer in Saturday’s loss to the Eagles and won the game with a three-run homer on Sunday. The senior has also accomplished something rare for him: He has walked five times in Alabama’s first four games, matching his walk total from all of last year.

Valverde has taken a more patient approach in hopes of raising his average, while keeping his power numbers.

“I’ve just got to keep my approach the same day-in and day-out,” Valverde said. “I don’t need to worry about hitting home runs — just hit the ball hard. Whatever the pitcher gives you, just take advantage of it.”