Behind junior John Rooney’s complete-game shutout, the Hofstra Pride defeated the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens 9-0 in Hofstra’s CAA home opener. The win snapped a three-game losing streak and a seven-game losing streak against Delaware.
“I thought it was literally a complete game played by us,” said Hofstra head coach John Russo. “I don’t know if we’ve played a better game.”
Rooney needed just 102 pitches, allowing two hits and one walk on the day striking out 11. With that, Rooney lowered his season ERA to 1.29, and improved his record to 5-0. Junior catcher Matt Siedem went 3-4 with a double, a solo home run, three RBI and a stolen base. Siedem’s stolen base and home run were both his first of the season and fell a triple shy of the cycle.
“That’s the first home run I’ve hit in college,” said Siedem. “I didn’t even know it was out until everyone started yelling.”
From the beginning, Rooney had his stuff in full form. Delaware’s Nick Patten was the only base runner for the Blue Hens through the first three innings. Delaware totaled three base runners, one of which was picked off.
“This is definitely my best start,” said Rooney. “I’m happy with [our] offense and I felt very comfortable coming into that second and third inning with run support.”
“[John Rooney] just came out early and was hitting spots. [John] established inside really early. It looked good in the ‘pen,” said Siedem.
In the bottom of the first, sophomore Rob Weissheier reached base on a single. Redshirt-senior Teddy Cillis drove in Weissheier for the game’s first run on a RBI single and an error by Delaware centerfielder Kevin Mohollen. Cillis finished the day 4-4 with a double, a RBI and a intentional walk.
I think early on, Teddy [Cillis] stepping up and driving in Rob [Weissheier] in that first inning was a big knock…I thought it loosened up the club,” said Russo.
Hofstra continued their scoring ways in the bottom of the second with senior Mikey Riesner scoring junior Daniel Page on a RBI double.
Three more runs came across for Hofstra in the fourth and two in the sixth. Siedem’s solo shot capped off the big offensive day for the Pride, which had a season-high 17 hits as a team. Freshman Austin Gauthier added three hits and senior Steven Foster added two hits and two RBI.
The offense shined despite the absence of junior Vito Friscia as he was out with a deep bone contusion. Coach Russo said that Friscia could return later in the series or come off the bench in a pinch-hit situation if necessary.
Hofstra has won each of the past three CAA series openers this season. However, the Pride has lost the next two games in both series against UNCW and Towson.
“It’s just finishing games for us right now,” said Russo. “John going nine innings saves [Chris Weiss] for a longer outing. It saves a lot out of our bullpen. Hopefully, the offense keeps swinging it well.”
The shutout was Hofstra’s fifth shutout of the season, which is a new program record. Hofstra improves to 3-4 in CAA play (13-9 overall) while Delaware falls to 2-2 (13-13 overall). Hofstra continues their series with Delaware April 7 at 3 p.m.
