WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary baseball pitching staff twirled an outstanding game, but Hofstra's ace was even better as the Tribe was blanked, 1-0, on Friday evening. The Pride's (19-15, 8-8 CAA) John Rooney hurled a complete game three-hit shutout in taking the series opener from W&M (15-27, 3-13 CAA).
Junior
Bodie Sheehan and Rooney exchanged four consecutive scoreless innings, before a run was produced. Sheehan stranded runners in scoring position in the first two frames and worked back-to-back 1-2-3 innings to prevent the Pride from answering early.
However, Hofstra would break the scoreless tie with an unearned run in the fifth, which proved enough to win the game. Daniel Page drew a one-out walk and barely stole second to get into scoring position. Page would move up behind an infield error and scored via sacrifice fly to center field.
The Green and Gold had its best chance to respond in the bottom of the eighth. Junior
Zach Pearson slashed a one-out single through the right side, before pinch hitter
Craig McLane singled to center field. Nonetheless, Rooney induced a 1-4-3 double play to shut the door on the comeback attempt.
Tribe Standouts
Sophomore
Patrick Ryan, Pearson and McLane managed a hit apiece. Sheehan went seven innings with eight strikeouts, five hits and just the unearned run. Senior
Michael Toner tossed two innings of no-hit relief and struck out four. Toner also struck out the side in the eighth inning.
Inside the Numbers
- Rooney logged a perfect game through five innings before hitting a batter.
- Each team combined for just three walks allowed.
- Both sides were unable to produce a hit with runners in scoring position, and the Tribe had the only two-out hit of the night.
- Rooney (7-0) received the win following his third complete game with five K's and three hits.
- Sheehan (2-6) was taxed with the loss despite his exceptional performance.
Notes
Sheehan matched his season-high in strikeouts…The Tribe has now played in 22 one-run games…Hofstra snapped a seven-game losing streak against W&M…Senior
Ryan Hall extended his on-base streak to nine games in a row…Toner fanned four batters in just two innings for the third time this year.
Up Next
The second leg of the weekend series is slated for Saturday at 4 pm.
