Junior pitcher Allen Rostovich threw a perfect game as the Wildcats downed San Antonio O’Connor 8-0 in the CenTex Hardball Classic at Burger Field on Friday.
“I’ve only been a part of two since I’ve been here,” said longtime Temple coach Larry Haynes. “And the other one was against us when Bryan’s Kevin Hodges threw it. It’s one of those things you may go your entire life and not see.”
Like most perfect games, Temple’s defense had its share solid plays, stopping some solid grounders, and making a diving catch in centerfield to preserve it. And by the later innings Rostovich was a lonely junior.
“It was kind of interesting to watch everyone not saying a word to him,” Haynes said. “But he was just playing ball. Not nervous at all. He was just dominant. He’s not a power pitcher, he just had a lot of finesse.”
The Wildcats (1-3), however, couldn’t build off that momentum, following with a 13-0 loss to Austin Bowie.
Pitchers Rhea, Newman help Belton take two at Rock Hardball Classic
ROUND ROCK - Behind a pair of dominating pitching performances, the Belton Tigers beat Austin 16-0 in five innings and Round Rock McNeil 5-1 on Friday at the second day of play at the Rock Hardball Classic.
Against Austin, left-hander Justin Rhea pitched a one-hitter, struck out five and faced 16 batters for his first win of the season.
“He threw unbelievable,” Belton coach Eddie Cornblum said. “He controlled the game.”
Shane Hoelscher hit a home run and went 2-for-3, driving in three runs and scoring two more.
In the second game, Dillon Newman struck out 12 and scattered four hits in seven innings to improve to 1-1.
“He controlled those guys,” Cornblum said.
Jarrett Crowell and Justin Dechert each had two hits and Seth Alcozer hit a home run.
“Today was pretty good,” Cornblum said. “I was impressed they came out swinging in the first one."
Belton (3-1) faces Midland at 10 a.m. today at McNeil and plays at Leander at 1 p.m.
