St. John's University Athletics
St. Johns Rozema Fifth in the Nation in Batting
4/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
A three-year starter for the Red Storm, Rozema says that he had lost some of his passion for the game somewhere during the last two years. Coming to The Ballpark at St. Johns had become a drag.
After working SJU head coach Ed Blankmeyer and the Red Storm coaching staff in the offseason, and speaking with his high school coach, Al Barton at Fair Lawn (N.J.) High School, Rozema said that he entered the 2003 season with a new bounce in his step, with a desire to be at field every day.
Through 38 games, that bounce in his step and that new passion has translated into of the most productive seasons for a St. Johns player in some time.
Rozema enters Thursdays game with Iona (first pitch at 7 p.m.) batting .461 (59-for-128), a mark that leads the team, leads the BIG EAST and ranks fifth in the nation. In addition, hes batting .615 in BIG EAST Conference games, a mark that is more than 100 points better than the nearest competitor.
Its pretty wild, Rozema said with a chuckle over the phone on Wednesday afternoon. Im just trying to help this team win, but Its been a lot of fun.
Its been more fun than hes had the last two years. Rozema entered the season with a career batting average of .276 and a .921 fielding percentage. Pretty good numbers, but certainly nothing to write home about.
Rozema, however, had a desire for more. I worked really hard in the offseason, he explained. Coaches worked on a couple of things with me on my swing. I know Im not a power guy, so I had to make some adjustments with my mechanics.
Everythings just fallen into place. When I hit the ball, no ones been there.
Hes currently in the midst of a 20-game hitting streak, the longest at St. Johns since Mike Dzurilla hit in 26-straight during the 1999 season, in which he has hit .541 (40-for-74), with 18 runs scored, 18 RBI, six doubles, two triples and one home run.
Hes playing with more enthusiasm, Blankmeyer said. The little boy in him has come back. Its a grind at this level and if you dont keep it in perspective - that its a game - then it can become a bear.
The kids gotten better each year. He works hard, he wants to become a good baseball player.
I think its the whole package, Rozema said. As you get more experienced, you get more comfortable with where you are and what you need to do.
You only get better in this game if you play more. It took me some time to adjust to the college game, and now Im taking any advantage of anything I get.
And while hes been a leader on the field, Rozema has also been impressive off it. He carries a 3.19 grade-point average in finance, has been selected to the BIG EAST Academic Honor Roll and to the Red Storm Honor Roll the last two years.
Rozema, however, is not content. He wants to see St. Johns (20-18, 8-6 BIG EAST) make the BIG EAST Tournament. He doesnt care so much about his numbers, as he does about winning and just enjoying himself.
My high school coach told me to remember that we play it because we love the game, Rozema said. I tried to remember that.
I love playing. Ill play it as long as I can. That has helped me get through practice every day. I love playing this game. Ive gone back to the way I felt when I was a little kid.
St. Johns host Iona on Thursday night at The Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. The homestand continues for St. Johns on Friday, with a non-league game against St. Francis at 3 p.m. BIG EAST action returns this weekend, with St. Johns hosting West Virginia on Saturday and Sunday. First pitch both days is slated for noon.
