By DAN MARTIN
June 7, 2008
Jean Carlos Rodriguez got everything he wanted yesterday.
First, he was drafted in the 10th round by the Phillies in the major league amateur draft and then hours later, he singled to lead off the 11th inning to start a game-winning rally, as third-seeded George Washington won its first PSAL title since 1997 with a 4-0 victory over No. 1 Madison last night at Shea Stadium.
"This is the perfect ending," the catcher said. "This is what I was waiting for."
He had to wait longer than he would have liked. He was expected by many to be selected on Thursday, the first day of the draft, but then slipped until yesterday. And then neither team could score as last night's title game lasted nearly four hours.
"I never got worried," Rodriguez said. "We just had to be patient."
Miguel Nunez rewarded that patience by singling in a pair of runs to finally give the Trojans the lead in the top of the 11th.
"I've had big hits before, so I wanted the chance to get another one," Nunez said.
Rodriguez wasn't the only Trojan drafted yesterday, as teammate Fernando Frias was selected by the Nationals in the 50th round and nearly followed Rodriguez's single with a home run that fell a few feet short.
Francisco Rosado and Xyruse Martinez combined to shutout Madison.
"We've been shut out twice here before," GW head coach Steve Mandl said of Shea Stadium. "I just didn't want it to happen again. But in the end, it worked out. We had a pretty good day."
Clinton catcher Mauricio Matos, who spent this past season in The Bronx after moving from Florida, went earlier in the 10th round, to Kansas City at 295 overall.
Matos skipped Clinton's semifinal against GW on Sunday so that he could fly to Kansas City for a workout with the Royals.ñ.ñ. Moore Catholic forced a deciding game tomorrow in the CHSAA finals with a 3-2 win over Xaverian last night at St. John's in the double-elimination tournament.ñ.ñ. Morris won the PSAL B title last night with a 2-0 victory over Bayard Rustin
