Lemont alum Rzegocki leaves her mark on Purdue’s softball record book
BY MIKE WALSH
For Sun-Times Media
May 28, 2011 12:03AM
Purdue pitcher Suzie Rzegocki, of Lemont. | Supplied photo
As Purdue’s softball team lost to Big Ten and instate rival Indiana 4-0 on May 14 on the Hoosiers’ home field, it marked the culmination of the playing career of Purdue senior pitcher Suzie Rzegocki.
Rzegocki, who prepped at Lemont, was named the team’s defensive MVP for the third straight year, going 26-17 and recording 200 strikeouts in 2592/3 innings. She also batted .230 with two home runs, 11 runs and nine RBI.
During the 2011 season, Rzegocki tied the school’s season wins record (26) and ranked among the top five in complete games (2nd, 35), shutouts (2nd, 10), strikeouts (2nd, 200), innings (3rd, 2592/3), starts (3rd, 41) and appearances (5th, 45).
Rzegocki rewrote the Purdue pitching record books, putting her name among the career and season top five in nearly every category. She owns the career records for wins (86), appearances (174), games started (148), complete games (107), shutouts (29), innings (9402/3) and strikeouts (728).
The two-time All-Big Ten selection also ranks third in career winning percentage (.589) and saves (6), and fifth in ERA (2.17). Rzegocki also boasts the season record for wins (26, in 2011), strikeouts (216, in 2010) and starts (44, in 2010). She also owns at least one spot among the top five in seven other categories.
Rzegocki tied the game record for home runs with two against Ball State, while also pitching a no-hitter. The three-time defensive MVP is the lone pitcher in Purdue history to have hit a home run during a game in which she also pitched, doing so in five games. Offensively, she hit .238 with 37 RBI, 31 runs and six homers.
Purdue was 30-18-2 in 2011, marking the 14th 30-win season in program history, while finishing fifth in the Big Ten.
Academic excellence
The Big Ten Conference recently recognized 524 winter sport athletes who were named to the 2010-11 Academic All-Big Ten Team. Of the 524 recognized, 13 are from the Southland.
To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, student-athletes must be letter-winners who are in at least their second academic year at their institution and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
Women’s swimming and diving was the sport with the most local entrants in Northwestern’s Erin Reilly (Lincoln-Way East) and the Illinois threesome of Keri Eberhardt (Andrew), Rachel Japp Joyce (Lincoln-Way East) and Darragh McDermott (Lincoln-Way East).
Honored in women’s gymnastics were Illinois’ Jaclyn Kantecki (Queen of Peace), Michigan’s Kylee Botterman (Lincoln-Way Central) and Michigan State’s Jackie Berg (Andrew).
Illinois wrestlers B.J. Futrell (Mount Carmel) and Conrad Polz (Sandburg) were honored, as were Wisconsin basketball player Dan Fahey (St. Ignatius), Michigan State swimmer Kevin Puskaric (Lincoln-Way East), Minnesota swimmer Larry Formosa (Lockport) and Michigan women’s basketball player Veronica Hicks (Thornwood).
Volleyball honors at Carthage
Carthage College outside hitter Randy Hansen (Oak Lawn) and setter Connor Wexter (Lincoln-Way Central) were named American Volleyball Coaches Association Second-Team All-Americans.
The 6-foot Hansen was ranked 22nd in NCAA Division III attack percentage (.300) and 25th in kills (3.35 per set) with a 0.71 blocks-per-set average.
The 6-1 Wexter, who also was named AVCA NCAA Division III Newcomer of the Year, was second nationally in assists (10.98 per set) and carried a .390 attack percentage.
Hansen and Wexter combined to help the Red Men go 23-11 overall and 8-0 in the All-Midwest-III Volleyball Conference.
In addition, Hansen, Wexter and middle blocker Tom O’Connell (Brother Rice) were among six Carthage volleyball players named to the 2011 All-Midwest-III Volleyball Conference Team. O’Connell concluded with an attack percentage of .269, to go along with 3.10 kills per set, 1.33 digs per set and 0.60 blocks per set.
Hansen and O’Connell were named to the first team, with Wexter named to the second team. Hansen also was the league’s MVP, while Wexter was Freshman of the Year in the conference.
