While we all enjoyed our Fourth of July weekend and celebrated in various fashions, Brent Rooker took a trip on up to Omaha to compete in the College Home Run Derby.
Brent Rooker is Omaha bound and ready to compete in the College Home Run Derby https://t.co/EO2ae17mUa pic.twitter.com/NZI7O9xtWz
— FWtCT (@mstatesports) June 28, 2016
Rooker quickly impressed just about everyone who was watching and even claimed a lead at one point in the first round.
4 minutes.
1 bonus pitch.
1️⃣6️⃣ home runs! @HailStateBB's @Brent_Rooker19 is IN. #CollegeHRDerby pic.twitter.com/qUpjuQTMRV— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) July 4, 2016
Brent Rooker leads the College HR Derby with 16 points in his first round.
— TJ Werre (@TJ_WJTV) July 4, 2016
Brent Rooker has the lead in the home run derby? pic.twitter.com/s0fySFK2LY
— FWtCT (@mstatesports) July 4, 2016
Rooker ultimately came in fourth place, unable to advance out of the second round, due to jaw dropping performances from East Tennessee State's Hagen Owensby, who had a staggering 23 home runs in the first round, and Joe Davis of Houston who edged Rooker out by two runs.
While Rooker came in fourth, he still surpassed the other SEC competitors in the Home Run Derby. LSU's Greg Deichmann and Colby Bortles from Ole Miss each failed to get out of the first round, hitting 13 and 10 home runs respectively.
Rooker led the Bulldogs in home runs this season, hitting 11 home runs on the season, four of which came in five games in the postseason. Brent is expected to be a huge contributor to next year's offense, along with Jack Kruger, who are both coming back to Starkville for another season instead of heading to MLB teams.
Congrats on your performance Brent and good luck with the rest of your summer!