By NIC ROHLOFF
Alex Groff was a part of a one-two punch with Logan Holgado for a Wayne squad that recorded nine wins and advanced to the A2 sectional quarterfinals as the No. 8 seed. Groff pitched to a 3-2 record and a 1.12 earned run average in 10 appearances last season.
The 5-foot-8 pitcher’s appearances and victories ranked second on the team behind Holgado (11 appearances and four wins). Groff paced the Eagles in earned run average, winning percentage and opponents’ batting average (.172). The senior pitcher finished second in batters faced (166), innings (37 1/3), pitches thrown (584) and strikeouts (48). Groff was third in earned runs allowed (six) as well.
Groff’s best performance of 2019 occurred on May 15th against Waterloo. In the 6-0 victory, the senior hurled a no-hitter on 83 pitches. Groff only allowed one walk and fanned nine batters.
The 5-foot-8 pitcher’s other notable performances were six innings of one-run ball on May 10th in a 12-1 win at Midlakes and a complete game, 13-strikeout effort on May 20th in a 3-2 win at Geneva.
At the dish, Groff tallied eight walks, three hits and one RBI while scoring four times. Defensively, he only committed five errors in 31 total chances (.839 fielding percentage). Groff produced nine put outs and 17 assists as well.
Groff’s success ignited Wayne to a seven-game win streak at the end of the season, including victories over Midlakes and Aquinas in the first round of sectionals.
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