Rockwood hasn't had much luck against McConnellsburg recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Rockets will face off against the Spartans at 4:30 p.m. Rockwood is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last three games.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Rockwood and Fannett Metal meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Thursday. The Rockets walked away with a 7-3 victory over Fannett Metal.
Davis Bruening
| 04/17/25 @ Fannett Metal | 6 |
| 04/13/25 vs United | 6 |
| 04/09/25 vs Meyersdale | 10 |
| 03/27/25 vs Tussey Mountain | 5 |
| 03/24/25 @ Greater Johnstown | 8 |
Davis Bruening and Carson Brown made a big impact while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Bruening struck out six batters over six innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off four hits. Meanwhile, Brown pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Bruening has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive appearances. At bat, Bruening went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases and two runs, while Brown got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three stolen bases and four runs. That's the most hits Bruening has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, Max Trimpey was excellent, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, one run, and one double. He has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Conner Handwerk, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base and two RBI.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask McConnellsburg). They never let Shanksville Stonycreek get on the board and left with an 18-0 win on Thursday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest victory of the season.
The team relied heavily on Reese Alexander, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, eight RBI, and three runs. He is becoming a predictor of McConnellsburg's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 3-4 when he doesn't). Hoyt Glenn was another key player, going 3-for-5 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI.
McConnellsburg was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .455. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
McConnellsburg is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 6-4 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.3 runs on average over those games. As for Rockwood, their record is now 7-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Rockwood has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like McConnellsburg struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Rockwood suffered a grim 11-0 defeat to McConnellsburg in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Rockets avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
