Edgar Melik-Stepanyan
Maybe it wasn't such a far-fetched idea, but it sure looked like one.
Using a walking cane to brace himself, Crescenta Valley High
senior P.J. Rousey paced the Falcon sidelines during football games
last fall.
And about 30 yards away, Falcon baseball Coach Phil Torres stood
near the end zone and told people that his invaluable pitcher would
be back for the upcoming baseball season.
This was weeks after Rousey took a helmet to his left knee while
making a block, and consequently tore his anterior cruciate ligament
Sept. 19 against St. Francis.
He couldn't nearly have enough time to rehab, get back in shape,
work on his pitching mechanics, and return to aid the Falcons'
pursuit for a third straight Pacific League title?
Well, much to the chagrin of CV's opponents, Rousey did come back.
And he's come back with a vengeance.
Rousey returned with a better understanding of the game, had more
trust in his pitching and possessed a newfound determination to prove
himself to teammates and college scouts.
Add to the fact that he had two years of varsity experience to his
credit, and Rousey was primed for another impressive year.
One that he hoped would garner attention from colleges.
"I want to continue playing at a higher level. In order for me to
do that, I have to keep playing," said Rousey, who has a .432 batting
average, 4-2 record, a 2.75 earned-run average and two saves this
year for the first-place Falcons (12-7, 8-1 in the Pacific League).
"I was pretty determined if I worked harder, I would get back."
Working hard translated into being at Cal State Northridge at 7
a.m. four days a week for six months of rehabilitation.
His road to recovery was a long and challenging trek, but it was
one he was intent on completing.
It included first learning to walk again, then building muscle in
his leg, all the while going through the most agonizing anguish: not
being able to play baseball or football.
"The doctors did a great job, but the rest of it is P.J. being
determined to come back," Torres said.
Added Rousey: "I always knew I was going to get back. It just took
a lot of time. More than I wanted it to take."
*
Rousey has helped take the Falcons to the top of the league by
being a more complete pitcher.
He was good enough to land a spot on the News-Press All-Area first
team last year -- when he earned an area-best nine wins compared to
one loss (against Arcadia) and had a 2.46 earned-run average -- and
he's only improved this year.
