The Hopkins men’s baseball team started off their 2014 season this past weekend with a strong and undefeated 4-0 record. The Blue Jays swept both Rivier and Oneonta, outscoring both teams with a combined 35-16 runs. Many of the Blue Jays notched strong performances throughout the four games. However, senior captain Richie Carbone had a remarkable standout weekend. Carbone started off his 2014 season with three straight doubles, two runs and an RBI in a 4-3 victory over Rivier, while going 2-for-3 with his first career triple, a single and two RBIs in the Blue Jays' 18-7 win over Oneonta.
Carbone has been named the Centennial Conference Player of the Week after batting .833 with three RBIs. This is his first career selection as the conference player of the week, but his performance left the promise for more to come.
Due to his unmatched performance and excellent start to the new season, The News-Letter has chosen Richie Carbone to receive the honor of Athlete of the Week.
The News-Letter: In game two of the double header against Rivier, you went 3-3 at the plate and tied a Hopkins record for doubles in a game. What does this accomplishment mean to you, especially so early on in the season?
Richie Carbone: It has been nice to get out and play again after the weather held us inside for the entire month of February. I was just trying to hit the ball hard every at-bat. I am happy that I was able to help our team get off to a 4-0 start this weekend.
N-L: How has Coach Babb influenced your game over the past three seasons, and how has he helped you prepare going into your senior season?
RC: It has been an honor to play for Coach Babb for the past three years. He has an unbelievable baseball mind and has been coaching the game longer than I have been alive. Every day is a learning experience for all of us on the team, and it is important for us to keep our ears open as he is always teaching.
N-L: As a senior captain on the team, how do you keep your team motivated and focused, especially after early success?
RC: It is great that we have started 4-0, but our goals are to win the Centennial Conference championship and eventually the Division III National Championship. With these goals in mind, it is not tough to keep our guys motivated. We have a great group of hard working guys who bring a high intensity level to every practice and games. We know we have a lot to prove.
N-L: What are your overall goals for yourself and for your team as you head into the season?
RC: Our team goals are to win the Centennial Conference championship and then the NCAA national championship. I don't really have any personal goals other than helping our team accomplish those team goals. I know if I play well then it will help our team win games, so that is what drives me every day.
N-L: Your team has been projected to finish first in the Centennial Conference Preseason Poll. Do you feel any added pressure on your team to succeed after being placed at the top?
RC: It is an honor to be picked to finish first in the conference, but we don't like to dwell on "projections" and things of that sort. Our focus every day is to make sure we are getting better so that we play to the best of our abilities come game time. The Centennial Conference is always tough, so we know we have to work hard to finish on top.
N-L: What do you think is the biggest challenge your team will have to face/overcome as you head into the regular season and later into the post-season?
RC: Our biggest challenge will be the lack of a home field. The renovations of our new field have been delayed because of snow and freezing temperatures this winter. Our team has embraced a "Road Warrior" mentality, but it will be a unique year without a place to play on campus. Our guys will need to be tough both mentally and physically. We have worked hard all year to get ourselves ready for the season. Now it is just a matter of performing and bringing a championship back to Baltimore.
Carbone and the Blue Jays hit the field again on March 14 as they take on the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in Ft. Myers, Fla. The team will look to build off of their momentum after sweeping their first weekend of the season when they hit the field in Florida.
