SwampDogs Land Saint from Siena
May 25, 2013 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release
The SwampDogs add more talent in the outfield with the addition of John Rooney from Siena.
He is about to complete his junior year in New York, where he has started 55 games thus far. Rooney is batting .270 with eight doubles, 23 RBIs, 34 runs, and he can be a threat on the base paths as he went 10-for-12 in his stolen base attempts, good for third best on the team.
The Syracuse, New York native drew 37 free passes on the season while only striking out 21 times, which was hands down the best percentage on the team.
"The addition of John to our roster gives us a quality right handed hitter who is very athletic and will provide depth in the outfield," head coach Darrell Handelsman said.
Rooney was a co-captain this past season because he emerged as one of the league's best outfielders as an underclassman. The scouting report on Rooney is that he is a contact hitter who regularly puts the ball in play and can bat near the top of the lineup. He has a strong arm with range and above average speed.
In 2012, the 5-10, 195-pound outfielder started 54 of the team's 55 games. He led the team in multiple hitting categories, including a .316 average, 18 multi-hit games, 61 hits, 10 doubles, two triples and nine stolen bases.
Rooney was honored with a Second Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection. That came to no surprise because he established himself as the Saint's everyday right fielder and he started in all 58 games. During his freshman season, he hit .258 with 15 RBIs, 41 runs and seven stolen bases.
Rooney was a three-time All-MAAC Rookie of the Week and he was a two-time All-State selection back in his high school days.
The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, entering their 13th season in the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 1,000 alumni drafted and 62 alums - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cpleague).
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Coastal Plain League Stories from May 25, 2013
- SwampDogs Land Saint from Siena - Fayetteville SwampDogs
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