A Closer Look: Rojas adds spark in title win
5/29/2016 5:51:00 PM | Baseball
SUGAR LAND – Catcher Robie Rojas has been pretty close to automatic all season behind the plate for Sam Houston State baseball.
That wasn't the case in the top of the third inning when he made a throwing error that eventually saw Southeastern Louisiana's Jameson Fisher blasting a grand slam over the right field fence.
However, Rojas didn't let that define his day when he showed what he could do at the plate to help propel the Bearkats to a 7-4 Southland Conference Tournament championship victory over the Lions while earning himself a spot on the All-Tournament team.
“I know I have a strong arm,” Rojas said. “It was a bad throw and a bad mistake, but I knew somebody was going to step up and pick me up like we've picked each other up all year.”
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Rojas approached the plate with Zach Smith at second and Jaxxon Grisham at first. On a 0-1 count, Rojas singled to left-center field and eventually reached third, scoring both runners to make it 4-3 after a throwing error by the Lions' third baseman Derrick Mount.
Right fielder Hunter Hearn then singled to left field to bring Rojas home and tie the score at 4-4.
“All I tried to do was pass the bat down to the next guy,” Rojas said. “I happened to get a single, and they threw it away, so we'll take it.”
The day wasn't over for Rojas just yet. In the bottom of the sixth, the Jersey Village product gave the Kats the go-ahead run with an RBI double to right center field to score Grisham. He then added another run for the Kats off of back-to-back wild pitches.
“We've always had heroes like Heater (Heath Donica) yesterday,” Rojas said. “I knew I had to step up…I threw one over second, but I knew I had to step up sooner or later.”
Rojas finished the day 2 for 4 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs. On the tournament, he led all catchers with four runners caught stealing, led the Kats in runs with five and was second in team RBIs with four, collecting a hit in each of the five games.
“Robie Rojas is one of our MVPs,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said. “We wouldn't be right here today without Robie. Pound-for-pound, [he's] one of the best catchers I've ever had. The throwing error… when you're an aggressive player that stuff is going to happen. He'll keep throwing, I promise you.”
