When Trenton Rosebourgh broke his wrist during the second week of the football season, a couple of Homewood-Flossmoor’s baseball coaches were in attendance.
They relayed the news to first-year coach Marcus Rodgers, who wasn’t happy.
“Oh, man, we were devastated when we found out Trent was hurt,” Rodgers said. “He’s a senior, and when Trent talks, the boys listen. That’s the big thing with us. We need that vocal leader.
“And we need that leader who can also lead by example.”
Rosebourgh, who healed in time for the baseball season, led by example Wednesday.
The senior right-hander was on his game, pitching seven strong innings to help the 10th-seeded Vikings knock off eighth-seeded Richards 11-2 in a Class 4A Providence Regional semifinal.
In a game that was moved to Richards in Oak Lawn, Rosebourgh struck out five and gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks for H-F (19-16), which erupted for eight runs in the seventh.
Xavier White added two doubles and three RBIs for the Vikings, while Cameron Williams doubled home a pair of runs and Javoris Bohannon and Tori Chaney each chipped in with two hits.
Illinois-Chicago recruit Sean Cody, who struck out 10 in 5 2/3 innings, doubled and scored in the first inning for Richards (19-8-1). Max Kawa also singled home Neil Glynn for a run in the sixth.
The Vikings will play for the regional title at 11 a.m. Saturday in New Lenox against host Providence (27-8), which beat Shepard 18-1.
Rosebourgh, who played quarterback in the fall, remembered that hot and humid Sept. 2 day when his career was put on hold during a wild 54-47 victory at home over Marian Catholic.
He had surgery three days later.
“Basically, it was a screen pass and I was hit by a defensive lineman,” Rosebourgh said of the play. “My wrist was broken, and I was out for the season.”
But he had faith he would be back.
“You have to retrain yourself,” he said. “But I was able to get stronger through the process.
“At the end of the day, God guided me, so I’m straight.”
He also said he had to retrain himself when he got back on the mound. Before the injury, his velocity was 84 mph. He’s now back at that mark.
Upon his return, however, he was throwing in the low 70s. He knew he had a lot of work ahead of him.
“I hit the weights and worked out every morning,” Rosebourgh said. “I worked myself up to get to this level of competition.”
While he was still healing, Rosebourgh committed to Dillard, an NAIA program in New Orleans.
He’s a member of the Chicago White Sox ACE organization in the summer, and members of their coaching staff matched Rosebourgh with Dillard.
“They had my film already and knew what I could do,” Rosebourgh said of Dillard. “And I’ve been producing this season.”
Rosebourgh and White, his teammate, both were in a hurry to get out of Oak Lawn to attend the Once a Viking Always a Viking scholarship dinner.
White, who has been fighting for a spot in the lineup, has played in left field the last two weeks. He enjoyed the outburst in the seventh inning that broke open the game.
“This is what we practiced for,” he said. “It didn’t click right away, but then we really started hitting.”
He was happy to do his part for Rosebourgh.
“He’s my best friend, and he’s a leader,” White said of Rosebourgh. “He always pushes the team even when people want to play around. And he’s always the hardest worker in the room.
“First one on the field. Last one to leave.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
