By Jack Angelucci, Director of Communications
UTICA, N.Y.—Dewey Roden knows. He knows exactly what it means to be a Blue Sock, and he most certainly knows what it takes to win a PGCBL division title. Those are reasons why Roden and the Blue Sox announced on Thursday that he would be returning to Utica for a third season.
Roden, a local kid from nearby VVS High School, has been an integral part of two PGCBL division titles in 2019 and 2021 with the Blue Sox and will return for an unprecedented third season with the team following the conclusion of his senior season with the Le Moyne Dolphins.
He possesses a skillset that has become less and less common in college baseball, the ability to be a two-way player on the mound and in the field. Last year with the Dolphins he started five games on the mound with a 4-0 record and was in the lineup for another 25 games at first base, hitting .292 with a .420 OBP.
The oportunity to keep growing as a two-way player, instead of specialize, is something that has kept the 6’6 Roden coming back to Utica every summer.
“Doug (Delett) and George (Deak) were awesome with me. They were pretty straight up with me and said, ‘Hey let’s work together and see what works best for you’. They worked with me really well in coming up with when I would throw and when I would go back in the field. They were awesome and that was a huge part of why I wanted to come back.”
Roden continued to deliver both on the mound and at the dish for the Blue Sox in 2021. He drove in 11 runs, while also making five starts on the bump for the blue and white, posting a 1.71 ERA. He struck out 39 while only issuing eight walks.
He currently is recovering from elbow surgery but is making progress he says, and signs are looking up for a return to the diamond being sooner rather than later. He is hopeful to try and help his Le Moyne teammates capture an NE10 title before eyeing down a third PGCBL crown with Utica.
Roden was quick to say that although summer ball is about developing as a player, winning is still something he strives for and expects from the Blue Sox this year. He even had a message to Utica fans about what they should be expecting when they arrive to Murnane come June.
“The number one goal for summer ball is to get better but obviously you still want to win and that is the main goal for us.” Roden went on to say that he can’t wait to be back in front of the hometown fans and the energy they bring to the ballpark every night.
Catch our full interview with Roden on our YouTube channel.
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