Lansing Lugnuts right-hander B.J. Benik’s key to success this season has been getting ahead of batters with his fastball and finishing them off with one of his three off-speed pitches. Oh yeah, don’t forget the Orange Clean to spruce his shoes.

“My shoes have to be immaculate,” Benik said. “They look brand new when I step on the mound and then after the game they’re ready to get cleaned again.”

Baseball players are infamous for their obsession with superstitions. Reluctantly, Benik (5-2-1) has developed a few superstitions of his own.

“I always promised myself that I didn’t want to be that guy,” he said. “For some reason, I just started doing some weird stuff.”

For as long as he can remember, when he gets to the top of the dugout steps, he always stretches to the right and then stretches to the left before walking onto the field. Then, he always drags his right toe on the first two strides when headed to the mound.

But Benik said he has developed another “stupid” in-game ritual.

“Every inning, I have to have at least one cup of water and then I throw the cup underneath my feet,” he said.

Benik said he is in too deep to refrain from these habits and despite devotedly adhering to these practices, he realizes his superstitions don’t have a direct effect on his performances.

“Most likely, if I don’t drag my feet it’s not going to have any sort of impact on how I pitch,” Benik said. “But if it makes you a little more comfortable and I’ve been doing well with it so far - you just stick with what’s working.”

His performances on the mound - superstition-invoked or not - have been solid in any role.

“B.J. has done a real good job for us all year long,” Lansing manager Julio Garcia said. “He’s been lights out as a middle reliever and a starter.”

After four years as a starting pitcher at Seton Hall, Benik was moved to the bullpen when he signed with the Chicago Cubs.

In 20 games with the Boise Hawks in 2001 - the Cubs short-season, Single A affiliate - Benik posted a 6-2 record with a 3.82 ERA. In 33 innings, he struck out 29 batters and allowed 9 walks.

Still, it wasn’t a role that Benik enjoyed much.

“I think it’s harder to be a relief pitcher than it is to be a starter,” he said. “You have to be ready to pitch every day and your schedule’s not set.”

Even though he preferred a four-day rest between appearances, Benik remained a reliever when he came to the Lugnuts (14-11 second half, 51-43 overall).

In 19 relief appearances with Lansing, Benik is 1-1 with a 1.61 ERA and one save. In 44.2 innings, opponents have batted .175.

In a spot-start, Benik got his chance to show his skills as a starter May 31 against the Beloit Snappers. He made the best of his opportunity, turning in a five-inning shutout performance. He allowed two hits and struck out seven without giving up a walk.

Benik’s next break would come at the expense of a teammate. Left-hander Nick Martin suffered a groin injury, which left a vacancy in the starting rotation.

“When that spot came open, it was a no-brainer,” Lansing pitching coach Mike Anderson said. “He’s taken it and ran.”

Benik’s first rotation start came June 24 against Fort Wayne. He delivered another shutout performance. Benik scattered six hits and struck out five batters. At one point, he retired 14 consecutive Wizards.

If the 14 consecutive retired batters wasn’t impressive enough, he accomplished the feat in his next two starts as well.

In six June appearances, relief and starting, Benik posted a miniscule 0.35 ERA while earning three wins and a save.

In six starts this season, Benik has a 4-1 record. Through Monday’s games, his 1.59 ERA is second best in the Midwest League.

Benik’s success as a pitcher probably could be traced to his disdain for giving up walks and his ability to make opponents manufacture runs. With the count 3-0, he said don’t expect a ball in the dirt.

“I hate walks,” he said. “I’d rather get beat with someone hitting an absolute laser in the gap than walking a guy.”

In 84.2 innings, Benik has allowed 12 walks. And his never-give-in attitude hasn’t come back to burn him in the form of home runs. This season, he has allowed just two dingers.

Despite his success, Benik said he knows his fortunes could change without notice - whether he continues to use his superstitions or not.

“Realistically, you want to give your team a chance to win and get ahead of batters,” Benik said. “Do your job and let things fall where they may.”