‘Crafty lefty’ shuts down Anchorage Bucs

PALMER — Mat-Su head coach Conor Bird calls David Rowse a “crafty lefty.”

Even though the University of the Pacific southpaw is not going to over power anyone with a fastball that pushes the mid-90s, Rowse can dazzle opponents with a plethora of pitches that seem to dance across the strikezone.

And on Tuesday, that lefty crafted himself a four-hit shutout in a 4-0 win over the Anchorage Bucs during the first leg of a home-and-home doubleheader at Hermon Brothers Field.

“He’s got a lot of pitches and he knows how to pitch,” Bird said after the win. “He controlled at-bats, and filled the zone with a lot of strikes.”

Bird said without the high power fastball, Rowse’s talents center around changing speeds and using a variety of pitches to throw strikes.

“It’s hard for guys to sit on just one pitch,” Bird said. “Guys are actually late on his fastball because he changes speeds so often.”

And Rowse knows that’s exactly what works for him.

“I know I’m not going to blow by anyone,” Rowse said. “I just add and subtract [speeds].”

Rowse allowed only four hits, and the Bucs had just six total base runners in the game. Five of those six runners were stranded at first base. Anchorage’s Davy Wright, who singled and stole second in the third inning, was the lone Bucs base runner to even touch second base.

Rowse also worked quickly and took advantage of the solid Mat-Su defense behind him. The Pleasanton, Calif., native forced 14 ground outs in the game.

“The defense was definitely outstanding today,” Rowse said. “(Shortstop Kevin Rodland and second baseman Blake Newalu) up the middle, they were making plays all day.”

D.J. Gentile gave Rowse and the Miners the 1-0 lead with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth. Kyle Jensen opened the inning by tripling to deep right center field, and later scored on the Gentile hit.

Pat Minogue gave the Miners the 4-0 lead with a two-run double in the eighth.

The game, which was scheduled for noon on Tuesday, was the start of the rare Alaska Baseball League home-and-home doubleheader. Mat-Su also grabbed a 6-4 win over the Bucs in Anchorage later that night.

In the second game, Gentile finished 4-for-4 at the plate and was one of two Miners to drive in a pair of runs. Troy Scott finished 2-for-4 with two RBI. Jeremy Erben pitched six strong innings to earn the win.