Brent Rooker: “I was looking for a slider in the middle of the plate”

Right fielder Brent Rooker hit a pivotal homer to keep USA alive in the Super Round of the Premier12. With a runner on first, and losing 2-1, he blasted a no-doubter to left field that gave his team the definitive lead in the score.

“The pitcher was able to keep the ball down today and throw his three pitches down and around the zone,” said Rooker at the press conference. “He beat me with sliders the first two time I faced him, so my thought was ‘This is not going to happen again’. I was looking for a slider in the middle of the plate, I got one early in the count that I fouled off, so I had to be patient, wait for another one, and put a good swing on it.”

Asked about the game, the 25-year old outfielder said: “Every team here is a quality team, so we came to the ballpark to fight from the first pitch. Their starter did a really nice job, he made his pitches and kept us out of balance, making us tough to keep the rhythm and get on base. You have to credit him for that. He threw the ball really well and competed really hard.”

“I think we did a really good job as a team, I’m very proud we continue competing for the whole game and didn't give up till the end.”