July 15, 2009
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina first baseman/pitcher Michael Roth will play in the 2009 NECBL (New England Collegiate Baseball League) All-Star game scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at MacKenzie Stadium in Holyoke, Mass. Roth, a rising sophomore, will play first base for the East squad and is representing his summer team, the Sanford Mainers.
Roth is hitting .262 (27-for-103) this summer for the Mainers with a team-leading 10 doubles to go along with one HR and 17 RBI. His 10 doubles is also third highest in the NECBL. The left-hander is not scheduled to pitch this summer. Gamecock teammate Adam Matthews is also on the Mainers. The team is 14-13 on the year and in third place in the Eastern Division.
“I’ve put a lot of hard work in this summer for my overall game and it’s definitely nice to be honored in a good league like the NECBL,” said Roth. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to play in the NECBL. It’s great to represent South Carolina up here and to have a chance to play against good competition.”
In his first season with the Gamecocks this past spring, Roth hurled 16 games and was 1-1 on the year with a 4.22 ERA in 32 innings with 28 strikeouts and 13 walks. He also saw action as a reserve/pinch hitter in 13 contests and hit .154 (2-for-13) with two RBI at the plate.
“I didn’t get a chance to hit much this spring and I wanted to focus on it this summer,” said Roth. “I’ve been pretty much playing every date at (first base). It’s a great league and the fields are great. Playing at Sanford is interesting. We have a lot of support from the town and it’s great to have the fans come out and we are recognized as players on the team. The weather has been great in July. It’s 75 degrees and the humidity isn’t too bad.”
The trip up to the Northeast is a first for Roth.
“I was born and raised in South Carolina,” said Roth. “My parents are familiar with it but prior to the summer I had never been further then Delaware.”
There are not too many adjustments for Roth to make but he did note some differences from Maine and South Carolina.
“There is definitely a lack of sweet tea,” said Roth. “But Adam (Matthews) and I did find a Wendy’s that has it. A lot more trees up here too and the weather is a little more mild in the summer.”
Having not spent much time as a position player in 2009, it took Roth a few days to get comfortable at the plate and to adjust to hitting every day.
“The first few games, hitting was rough because I had not seen pitching for a while at the plate,” said Roth. “I got into a groove, once you get that one hit, it takes some pressure off. Defensively, one of our assistant coaches (at Sanford) played first, so I’m out there working on my defense. I’m trying to improve my swing and the wood bat is a little heavier but it’s a lot of fun. It is baseball in its truest form. The club provides us with bats, which is great, because I’ve broken a few. Working on my swing, you have to put good wood on it to make solid contact.”
Roth added that he hopes to come back to South Carolina this fall as a contributor both at the plate and on the mound.
“Coming in as a recruit, I was focusing on being a hitter but I pitched well and got some great opportunities to pitch,” said Roth. “Coach (Tanner) talked to me before I left for Sanford and asked if I was going to play every day at first base. I mentioned that I was and Coach Tanner said that was great and to get as many at-bats as I can and try to come back in the fall and help out as much hitting possible. Pitching-wise, Coach Calvi and Coach Tanner and they didn’t have a problem with me not pitching for Sanford this summer but wanted to make sure that I was working on my arm strength. I’m working out every day and throwing long toss, stretching, throwing bullpens and keeping my arm strength.”
