Ryne Guida and Brendan Roney’s Relationship Goes Back to 14U Baseball

MIAMI, FL – Following FIU Baseball’s first sweep against a CUSA opponent since 2018, a big reason for the Panthers’ 10-5 record in conference play is because of designated hitter Ryne Guida and catcher Brendan Roney.

“It’s been awesome for the guys,” said Guida. “We’ve been battling. The biggest thing this year is we’re playing a lot of the top teams in the conference, really taking care of business. As far as little things, attacking good pitches in the zone, making good pitches playing and defense. I’m proud of the guys.”

This season, Ryno has slashed .327/.425/.519 with six home runs and 40 RBIs, ten away from matching his 2023 total of 50.

“I just continue to stick to what I know,” said Guida. “I haven’t changed anything. It’s just staying mentally tough. Taking my at-bats, one at-bat at a time and if it seems like a good pitch to hit, you hit. “Every single at-bat, you learn something. It may pitch a little differently. It’s just taking it one at a time.”

Guida currently holds a 25-game on-base streak. In this past series against the New Mexico State Aggies, he had seven hits, six RBI, two home runs, and one double.

Roney, who struggled offensively last season is seeing better results, slashing .254/.391/.338 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. For him, it’s been about working well with the pitchers. Towards the ladder end of this season, the pitching is finally beginning to look as it should.

“Team chemistry,” is what Roney noted had been different. “We play together so well. Our pitchers and hitters are backing each other up. Pitchers are down, hitters are there. The hitters are down, pitchers are there. We’ve played a lot of close ballgames and we’re starting to pull those games out. That’s something we didn’t do last year. It’s good to see everyone play well together.”

If there’s one thing that’s been consistent in both of these players’ lives, it’s been their friendship which began when they were both playing in 14U with the Florida Stealth which was the number-one team in the nation for the majority of that summer and featured current big leaguer Nolan Schanuel.

“Brendan and I grew up playing 14U with Stealth,” said Guida. “It was like a top-five team in the country, but it’s just been cool to have both of us play college ball…going into my junior year here I was fired up and we’ve had a good time here. We just continue to keep building this place back, which is something we’ve always done. So it’s been great.”

The Panthers backstop called Guida “Mr. Travel Ball.” The “Hit-Machine” ended up playing for about 30 different teams and one of them happened to be with Brendan Roney. That year they ended up winning the championship.

“I remember the national championship tournament,” said Roney. “We won the tournament and we just stuck together throughout the whole thing. He bounced around team-to-team, but we always kept in touch.”

When current manager Rich Witten took the job at FIU, the Panthers manager was Roney’s hitting coach at VCU and called Brendan to join him to begin what looked to be a rebuild.

Along with Roney, Witten would call Guida, who was already committed under former manager Mervyl Melendez but honored his commitment, joining Witten.

“We ended up meeting back in Purcellville and it was a nice reunion,” said Roney. “Coach Witten came to FIU and he was already committed, so it worked out well.”

In their two years at FIU, they both have been roommates and have been one of the biggest reasons why the win totals have increased from one year to another.

“Just a good dude to be around,” said Roney. “Always gonna be around… He’s the first one to hop into any conversation with us. Just sweetest personalities I’ve been with.”

Some of the best stories come out of summer ball with the Purcellville Cannons. Guida mentioned how he believes they were able to grow close there during that time.

“Summer ball has always been fun,” said Guida. “I remember he threw to me one time before a game, we threw to each other. Just that bond we’ve built since we were younger. It’s been very cool…I’ve enjoyed all that time.”

Guida and Roney are preparing themselves to take on who will be by far their toughest opponent of the season – the Dallas Baptist Patriots, who find themselves looking on the outside in of the Top 25 rankings.

The conference showdown between both teams will begin on Friday, April 26th at 6:30pm and can be streamed on ESPN+.