Pozzuto Named Pitcher of the Week
4/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Kent State sophomore left-hander Markie Pozzuto (Cortland, Ohio/Maplewood) was named Mid-American Conference East Division Pitcher of the Week Tuesday (April 28). The honor was Pozzuto's first of the season and second of her career.
The Golden Flashes went 2-0 in Pozzuto's two starts this past weekend. She earned a win in six innings pitched Friday at Toledo and left with a lead after five innings Sunday at Bowling Green. Pozzuto struck out 15 batters in two games and allowed just one walk. She struck out the side against the Falcons in both the first and fifth innings.
After early season results were not meeting Pozzuto's expectations, a noticeable change in numbers has occured over her last five games. During that span she has gone 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA, recording 28 strikeouts and just three walks.
"I struggled early on," Pozzuto said. "Practice and warm-ups were going great, but something just wasn't transfering over. I've been focusing more on getting ahead in the count and using my legs more and it's really helped out a lot."
Pozzuto also attributes the pitching staff's success to the defense behind her, the catchers and the coaching staff. Head Coach Karen Linder noted success with Pozzuto's change-up over the weekend. The sophomore admitted she "really didn't have a change-up in high school." However, it has become one of her stronger pitches and she is using it more effectively.
The Golden Flashes (23-19) will close out their regular season with six home games this week, beginning with a doubleheader Wednesday against Cleveland State.
