It was one of those days for California
Herald-Standard WASHINGTON – Over the past 11 years, I’ve had several story ideas fall into my lap.
But until Wednesday, I never had one drop out of a tree and bite me on the backside.
Shortly after Springdale defeated California in the WPIAL’s Class A title game at CONSOL Energy Park, Trojans coach Don Hartman was busy saying the things coaches usually say to reporters.
Somewhere between “I’m proud of my kids” and “We were just outplayed”, Hartman threw out an unintentional bone to the collective group of hacks known as the media.
Hartman was talking about how his team never quits and got around to pointing out how a couple of his players – catcher J.D. Hawk and centerfielder Brandon Rossi – actually got banged up earlier Wednesday during the team’s pre-game workout back home at Malden Yards.
According to Hartman, Hawk left the practice with a slightly sprained ankle and Rossi seemed to be OK after being bitten by a snake.
No, you didn’t pick up your wife’s copy of the National Enquirer by mistake. This is the Herald-Standard Sports Section.
There it was, that Golden Nugget of information, the Holy Grail of Holy Grails, and it was ours for the taking.
Sports writers get excited over two things: No. 1 on our wish list is without a doubt free food. Wednesday’s fare of hot dogs, hamburgers and all the soda pop you could drink was about as close to hog heaven as it gets.
A close second is any juicy piece of information or quote that might make what we write easier to digest or more entertaining for the paying customers.
It seems Rossi was minding his own business, chasing a foul ball in the woods during batting practice early Wednesday afternoon when a six-foot black snake dropped out of a tree and bit him on the right ear.
What’s next? Bat Boy challenging Barry Bonds’ single-season home run record?
Before we go on, it would be too easy to use the headline “Snake-Bitten” for this column, so forget it, we’re not even going there.
Rossi’s ear bled roughly 10 minutes following the bite, and then, like nothing happened, it was back to business.
Rather, back to businesssssss.
“I was fine,” Rossi said. “But I knew it was bad luck.”
Rossi went 1 for 3 against Springdale right-hander Mike Devine out of the No. 8 spot in California’s lineup. Trailing 5-2 with two outs in the top of the seventh inning with teammate Travis VanOlst on first base, Rossi kept the Trojans’ bid for a second straight WPIAL title alive when he singled to right field.
California has made a habit of rallying, dating back to last year’s title game against Geibel Catholic. In that contest, Zack Jeney blasted a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning that erased a 4-3 deficit and sent the Trojans on their way to their second WPIAL crown.
In last year’s PIAA quarterfinals, California trailed Coudersport 9-6 and was down to its final at bat when it scored 10 runs and went on to win, 16-9. Then, after receiving a first-round bye as the WPIAL’s top-seeded Class A team this year, the Trojans defeated Chartiers-Houston, 5-3, in eight innings in the quarterfinals before scoring six runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat Serra Catholic, 10-5, in the semifinals.
“When we got down 5-0 (against Springdale), it didn’t dampen our spirits,” said Trojans shortstop Mike Galis. “We’ve been down and came back the past five games. It was nothing new to us.”
But Devine put an end to the comeback before it could get into high gear when he struck out pinch-hitter Waugh Carter to end the game.
After he and his teammates received their silver medals, Rossi grabbed his equipment and began his trek back to the team bus.
“It hurt when it happened,” Rossi said. “But I’m fine now.
“The whole thing is just really weird.”
In case you’re wondering, the snake declined comment.
Dave Stofcheck is a sports writer at the Herald-Standard and can be reached at 724-439-7570 or at dstofcheck@heraldstandard.com