PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
5/25/2012

Rooney: Born with a bat in hand

Much of the Waves’ high-powered offense is thanks to this natural out of Orange County.
By Jared Hermann
Staff Writer

There are many bright spots this season for the Waves, but one player in particular, junior third baseman Patrick Rooney, is no stranger to the light.  Baseball has become second nature to Rooney because he has been surrounded by baseball his entire life. 

“My family even has footage of me hitting a baseball off a tee when I was two,” Rooney said. 

Growing up in Yorba Linda, Calif., made it easy for Rooney to play a lot of baseball.  The beautiful weather and the fierce competition helped construct him into the well-oiled machine he is today. 

“It is an ideal place to live,” Rooney said. “You can play baseball all year round.” 

At the age of 12 Rooney found himself in the Little League World Series, playing for the U.S. Championship, where his nickname was “Dynamite.” 

Rooney’s success did not stop there. While attending Esperanza High in Anaheim he was a three-year letter winner and three-time All-Sunset League selection.  Rooney also tied the school single-season record with 14 doubles and was awarded a Gold Glove his junior year.  But his success was even found off the field as he maintained a 3.0 GPA throughout high school.

In his third year at Pepperdine, Rooney has picked up where he left off after high school, finding success yet again on the diamond here in Malibu.  He has been selected for awards such as honorable mention freshman All-American, and honorable mention All-West Coast Conference (WCC) as a sophomore.

Each season Rooney has elevated his game, raising his batting average to .312 last season. This season is no different as Rooney looks to reach new heights. He is regarded as one of the top players in the WCC and rated the best third baseman in the conference.

As the Waves’ everyday third baseman, Rooney is batting .275 with three homeruns and 20 runs batted in. He has started in all 26 games this season.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here at Pepperdine,” Rooney said.  “I have been given the opportunity to play and I just look to make the most of it.” 

Rooney looks to continue his success at the next level, hopefully getting drafted within the next two years. But until then, he still has high hopes for the team this season. 

“We as a team are confident that we can dominate in conference,” Rooney said. “The team moral is high, and we are ready to take on the second half of the season.”

Submitted  April 1, 2004