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 Buccaneers Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) and recently accepted a position with General Dynamics, where he will work on control systems on nuclear submarines.
“Alex always leads by example and knows exactly when to make his voice heard,’’ said Mass. Maritime first-year coach Mike Kelley. “It is really unbelievable that he can balance both responsibilities with such precision and passion. This Academy will have a hard time replacing him as a person and a leader.’’
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 (24-15) beat Brandeis, 8-6, in the first round of the ECAC tourney on Thursday afternoon. The Academy will play at top seed, and host MIT on Saturday morning.
Q. This season, you have recorded a career-bests in strikeouts (27) and earn run average (4.37). What changes 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. Tell me about your role, and responsibilities as regimental commander.
A. The role itself is very proactive, especially during the first few weeks of orientation because this is a person who every cadet looks up to . . . I wanted to be in this position because I want people to rely on me and know I will be there to help them.
Q. The academy has never had a transfer student in this position. How did you prepare for the responsibility?
A. To prepare for this role, cadets need to spend time as a petty officer their sophomore year and a squad leader their junior year, so I intertwined both roles in a span of two years. It took some time to get to know my classmates and the academy’s values, but once the application process began, I started to believe I would be successful in this role.
Q. Who taught you how 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 is on helping our team succeed. Off the diamond, I want to help all cadets be successful.
MATT NOONAN
