Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Nick Cabico

Tony Altobelli

When hitters are on a roll, they describe the ball coming across

the plate as the size of a beach ball or a basketball.

For Costa Mesa High sophomore baseball player Nick Cabico, the ball must

look like a big-rig tire rolling up there after his performance last

week.

In two games, the Mustangs’ second baseman went 5 for 5 in a 7-7 tie with

Santiago of Corona, then proceeded to go 4 for 4 in a win over Irvine. He

had two runs scored and five RBIs in the two games played.

“I don’t know if that’s some sort of record, but I’m sure it’s gotta be

up there,” Coach Kirk Bauermeister said following Saturday’s performance.

“He’s really been doing the job for us.”

To say the least. Cabico, a former Costa Mesa American Little League star

who idolizes Major League Baseball star Ricky Henderson, ended the week

with a .688 batting average (11 for 16).

Cabico’s streak came to an end in Monday’s 1-0 loss to Los Amigos. With a

1 for 3 performance, his averaged “dipped” to .632.

“He’s just the kind of kid that goes out and plays hard on every play of

every game,” Bauermeister said. “He’s only a sophomore so he’s still

learning every day, but he’s the kind of person that once you tell him

something he never forgets it.”

One of the many things he’s learning as he quickly matures is the

position of second base.

“It’s a new spot for him,” Bauermeister said. “But he’s got great hands

and great range. He’s one of the better second basemen as far as raw

talent goes, that we’ve had here.”

Cabico returned to Costa Mesa High after spending the fall semester at

Mater Dei, where he played for the Monarchs’ Serra League champion

football team.

“We’ve only had him back since February, but he’s catching up real fast,”

Bauermeister said. “Obviously we’re thrilled to have him back with us.”

Despite only being a sophomore, Bauermeister likes what he’s seen from

Cabico on the leadership side of the game.

“He’s more of a quiet leader, but he definitely leads by example,”

Bauermeister said. “He’s one of those kids that you don’t have to worry

about when it comes to intensity and determination.”

A three-sport varsity letterman as a freshman for the Mustangs last year,

Cabico will return to the Mustangs’ hardwood as a junior and most likely,

his eligibility will be approved to play football next year.

“He’s an athlete that has a lot of tools,” Bauermeister said. “He’s got

the speed, a great arm, some power and he’s got the smarts to understand

what’s going on.”

As a freshman, Cabico went from the junior varsity squad to being the

starting pitcher in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division

IV playoffs. He tossed a complete-game seven-hitter as the Mustangs won,

5-1, over Duarte, their first playoff win since 1962.

Cabico finished the season 3-5 with a 4.93 ERA and 43 strikeouts as a

freshman.

This year, Cabico will double as one of Mesa’s top pitchers as well as

play second base.