Last season, infielder/outfielder Richie Maccarone earned C.W. Post’s “New Comer Award” (Rookie of the Year) after registering a team high .302 batting average, with 41 hits, six doubles, one triple, 10 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 136 at-bats.
Although happy with the personal accolade, he noted, the Glen Cove native would prefer the Pioneers - who a posted 14-34 record in 2011 - to pick up more victories this year.
“As a team, we didn’t have a good record,” Maccarone said. “I rather win than get the award.”
Optimistically speaking, though, the former Glen Cove High School two-sport athlete believes that C.W. Post will yield better results this campaign because most of the squad is coming back into the fold, with one more year of experience underneath its belt.
“We had a really young team. Our whole starting lineup was basically freshman and sophomores,” the 5-foot-11-inch sophomore explained. “We’re going to have a really good season. We have a lot of returning players.”
As far as improving his overall game, Maccarone said he has been working hard during the off-season, hitting the gym three to four times a week in order to increase his strength and endurance.
In addition, he continues to put in the necessary time in the batting cages, and tirelessly works on his defense, hoping to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump, and help the Pioneers improve upon last season's results.
The ultimate team-first player, Maccarone began last season at shortstop, a position he has manned most of his life, but moved to the outfield out of necessity.
It didn’t make a difference to him, however, because all he wants to do is get the opportunity to showcase his diamond skills:
“It didn’t matter to me," the former Big Red football player said. “I’m just happy to play.”
During the summertime, Maccarone played ball with the Long Island Collegians in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League. He felt the level of play was first-rate, helping him prepare for the challenge of the upcoming baseball season.
“The competition was pretty good,” he said. “It was fun, playing against kids I play in college. We played in North Carolina, and the kids were really good there, too.”
While Maccarone downplayed his individual accomplishment, his proud mother, Kim Maccarone, believes it was a great self-esteem booster, fueling him for further future success.
“He doesn’t feel like he needs to brag about it,” she said of her son’s New Comer Award. "'Why do you need to that?' Even he says that. But it’s good motivation for him.”
Only going into his second year at the Division II school, Maccarone, a big-time Yankee fan who idolizes shortstop Derek Jeter, aspires to play professionally in the future.
“It’s my dream since I was began playing at six,” he said. “I would love to do it.”
C.W. Post begins the season in Myrtle Beach, SC, on Feb. 24 at 10:00 a.m. against West Virginia Wesleyan College in a doubleheader.
