Gilmer High alum Brooks Rosser helped the Truett McConnell University Bears notch a pivotal victory in the school’s annals.
Prior to the season’s cancellation because of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, TMU hosted Tennessee Wesleyan University for a three-game series Feb. 28-29.
Tennessee Wesleyan is the defending national champion of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. They entered the series ranked No. 1 and held an all-time series lead of 10-1 versus TMU.
In game one Friday, TMU took a 3-2 lead in the sixth and held on for a 5-3 victory to stun Tennessee Wesleyan. It marked the first time TMU defeated a No. 1 ranked team in any sport.
A doubleheader was played the following day, and TMU dropped the second game of the series, 7-5.
Rosser, a sophomore, took the mound for game three and earned the win to give TMU its first-ever series victory against Tennessee Wesleyan.
He pitched 5 2/3 innings and struck out five, walked six and allowed three earned runs in a 5-3 victory. The two losses dropped Tennessee Wesleyan to No. 5 in the subsequent poll.
TMU took the field March 13 against Southern Wesleyan University (S.C.) for its final game of the season. The Bears’ 11-1 victory improved their overall record to 12-11.
Rosser made six appearances and started five games before the season’s cancellation. He tossed 31 1/3 innings, posted a 3-2 record and 5.64 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 20 walks. He made one relief appearance and earned a save.