Campus Angle:  Alex Rozak, Massachusetts Maritime Baseball

May 15, 2016

By Matt Noonan, Globe Correspondent

Alex Rozak is one of four captains on the baseball team at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, an ECAC tournament-qualifying Division 3 squad numbering 31 players.  The senior, who graduated from Plymouth North in 2012, is also the academy’s regimental commander, a position of responsibility in which he is the leader of 1,600 cadets.  The position became a goal after he transferred into the Academy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst for his sophomore year.  Rozak frequently meets with the school leaders, including his father, Captain Ed Rozak, the Academy’s commandant of cadets.  In addition, the younger Rozak is a member of the Buccaneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and recently accepted a position with General Dynamics, where he will work on control systems on nuclear submarines.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound righthander has fanned a career-high 31 batters in 55.2 innings this spring while compiling a 4.37 earned run average.  After falling to Salem State in the MASCAC championship game, the Bucs (23-15) hosted Brandeis in the first round of the ECAC tourney on Thursday afternoon.

Q:  This season, you have recorded career-bests in strikeouts and earned run average.  What changed have you made from past seasons?

A:  I have been really attacking the zone more by making opposing batters hit the ball, which usually result in routine ground balls or fly balls.  I want opposing batters to swing, but if they choose not to swing, then the result usually is a strike.

Q:  What’s your go-to pitch?

A:  My two-seam fastball.  I rely on it when I throw my fastball because it has a little bit of a run into the righthanders and a little away from the lefthanders, so the result of the hit is usually a grounder.

Q:  What major league pitcher did you idol growing up?

A:  Nolan Ryan.  My father shared stories about him when I was younger and I remember watching a special about him on ESPN that highlighted his approach of attacking the zone.  He had a certain mentality that I adopted this year.  He had a unique mentality of putting the ball over the plate and that resonated with me.  I think every pitcher should study his approach.

Q:  Who taught you to be a leader?

A:  My father.  He has been in his position at Massachusetts Maritime Academy for the last 16 years and before that he was with the Marine Corps.  His demeanor when it comes to solving problems or dealing with various situations is admirable—something I apply when faced with challenges or issues.  His guidance has helped me become a leader for all cadets.

Q:  How does being the co-captain of the baseball team and academy’s regimental commander coincide?

A:  Both roles have helped me put things into perspective, but they do intertwine with helping teammates or cadets with time management or issues they have encountered in the regiment.  When it comes to baseball, my focus in on helping our team succeed.  Off the diamond, I want to help all cadets be successful.