by Vinny Amodeo
After a day of walk-off heroics from David Leiderman, Ryan Karl took the show in today’s match-up driving in all three runs in a 3-1 victory over the 15th ranked team in the nation, the College of Charleston.
Two doubles flew off the bat of Karl, with one hitting off the top of the right field fence after hanging in the air for virtually the length of that half of the inning. David Leiderman and Kevin O’Connor both added to the offense, as they were perfect at the plate going 2-for-2 and 3-for-3 respectively. Vito Friscia was also the beneficiary of Karl’s two doubles scoring on both of them.
John Rooney was lights out (Photo Credit: Vinny Amodeo)
“I think more than anything it was just the team believing that they had the talent and the ability to beat another team,” said head coach John Russo. “We played well, we pitched well, played great defense and got timely hits. That’s what good teams do and I’ve felt all along that we’re a good team.”
Freshman John Rooney threw the best game of his young career today completing all nine innings by himself, while giving up just four hits and one earned run. Rooney kept the Cougars on their heels all afternoon, giving up just one hit combined to the 2-through-6 hitters in their lineup. He lowered his ERA to 4.08 through 46.1 IP.
“You can’t be more impressed by a guy to go nine innings as a freshman against one of the top-25 teams in the country,” said Russo. “He has as good ability, he’s 6’5” and he was 88-91 most of the day. He had good off-speed in play but more than anything he’s fearless, he doesn’t know any better. He really commanded the strike zone, had three pitches in play most of the day today and held the top hitting team in the conference coming in down for basically nine innings.”
Bailey Ober, the Cougars number two in the rotation, took the bump for Charleston and threw a fairly good game. He surrendered eight hits and gave up just three runs, all of which were earned, to go along with two walks and one hit batter in seven innings pitched. Although he dealt for most of the game, keeping the Pride to minimal damage, he just couldn’t get the help from his offense that he needed on this afternoon to notch another win on his résumé.
These two wins thus far in the three game series prove to be more than just moral boosters for the 11-24 Pride (3-7 in conference). They also give this team a chance to make their way back into the chase for an appearance in the conference championship bracket in late May.
The Pride will have a chance to sweep this three game series tomorrow, April 17, at 12 pm on University Field as they try and continue to turn their season around with just 20 games remaining on their schedule.
You can read a scouting report on John Rooney by clicking here.
