Simply put, first-year pitcher Sarah Rozell (Lakeville, Minn.) has been on fire as of late, helping the Gusties to a 5-1 week after recording three-consecutive shutout victories over St. Olaf, Macalester, and St. Thomas. For her stellar performances on the rubber, Rozell has been named the Pitcher-of-the-Week by the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Sarah Rozell’s banner week began with an 8-0, five-inning shutout victory over St. Olaf on Monday, April 9 in Northfield. Rozell allowed just one hit against 16 St. Olaf batters in the game, registering one strikeout and two walks. She also served one shutout inning of relief in game one against the Oles.
The rookie’s second-straight shutout came on Wednesday, April 11 at home in a 9-0 win over Macalester. Against the Scots, Rozell allowed four hits in five innings while striking out three and walking just one batter.
To cap the week, the Lakeville North product was successful in keeping St. Thomas off the scoreboard, accomplishing a feat no other team has done this season. In fact, no team since Saint Mary’s did on April 13, 2010 has shut out St. Thomas. By limiting the Tommies to just four hits in seven innings, Rozell handed St. Thomas its first conference loss of the season and snapped Gustavus’ 11-game losing-streak against its conference rival. She struck out four batters and got another 12 to ground out in the game.
On the week, Rozell allowed no runs in 18.2 innings. The opposition hit just .145 against her over the week, going 9-for-62. To this point in the year, her opponent batting average of .241 ranks fifth in the MIAC .
“Sarah has been improving every week this spring and that is great to see from a young pitcher. With her and Kate Rentschler beginning to gel, they will be a great one-two punch as we continue down the road,” said Head Coach Jeff Annis.
On the season, Rozell is 10-2 overall with an ERA of 2.12 (t-3rd/MIAC). She carries a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.32 in 86 innings.
The Gusties remain atop the MIAC standings alongside St. Thomas with a league mark of 11-1 after last weeks games. Gustavus, who is now 19-7 overall, will begin another six-game week with a doubleheader on the road at St. Catherine on Tuesday, April 17 at 3:30 p.m. in St. Paul.