FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University freshman baseball catcher/designated hitter Mac McCafferty/Stevens, Pa. has been named the Longwood Male
ARMS Software Athlete of the Week. He started all four games played last week, hitting .500 (7-14) with three RBI and two walks. He opened the week with a 3-4 effort at the College of William and Mary, including a pair of run-scoring singles during a 9-7 road win, and finished the week with a 3-4 performance against Campbell during a 3-0 home setback. On the season, McCafferty has started 19 of 20 games played and is batting .302 (fifth on the team) with one home run, one double, 14 RBI, seven runs and 10 walks, while splitting time behind the plate and as the DH.
Question and Answer Session with Mac McCafferty and Steven Sommer
SS: Congratulations on being named Male Athlete of the Week. What does receiving this honor mean to you?
MM: It’s definitely pretty cool. I’m very honored, especially since I’m a freshman. To be so young and be awarded with that title is a really cool feeling.
SS: You had three-hit games against both William and Mary and Campbell. What have you done to stay in the zone when you’re up to bat?
MM: Really it comes down to me being more focused. I think to myself that I can get a hit against anyone who I’m up against. The coaches have done a great job helping me, telling me to just keep swinging hard and that my swing will work itself out.
SS: Describe the feeling you had after your walk-off RBI in the 12th inning against Charleston Southern back on March 16.
MM: It was a pretty cool feeling. I think I had an opportunity earlier in the game to end it, so I was a bit disappointed I didn’t do that. I’m glad I could make up for it in the end.
SS: What does it mean to you to be able to contribute to so early on in your career here at Longwood?
MM: It’s definitely an awesome feeling, knowing what all of the seniors and other starters have done to help me get here, that I can help support the team and give back even though it’s only my first year.
SS: You had an impressive high school career, receiving two All-State nods in Pennsylvania. How has the transition from playing high school ball to Division I been for you?
MM: The biggest adjustment has been seeing more pitching that you’re not used to. Usually in high school, you’ll see maybe one guy on the other team who could play somewhere, but now we’re seeing that everyone we face is a top high school player.
SS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
MM: It all depends. I am very superstitious, so I’ll keep wearing the same batting gloves if I’m hitting well, keep pulling my socks up if I’m doing well with them worn up. Things like that. If things are going well I’m not going to change them.
SS: Who is your biggest role model on the team?
MM: Scott Burkett. He’s been there, he’s played the position and he started a good deal as a freshman too. To have him and his experience as a resource on how to work out of different situations has always been really helpful behind the plate.
SS: What’s your favorite part of playing baseball at the Division I level?
MM: The competition. Everyone takes it seriously and every game matters. In high school, things weren’t as intense, but here everyone’s main goal is winning a championship.
SS: Who is the funniest guy on the team?
MM: Cory Ramsey, without a doubt. Everything he does cracks me up. Whether it’s in conversations or his different sayings before he goes in the batting cage, he’s just hilarious.
