VIDEO: Vince Apicella Interview
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Senior starting pitcher Vince Apicella (Dillsburg, Pa.) was named the South Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Week Tuesday morning for a strong outing against the University of Virginia-Wise Sunday afternoon.
With a game-time temperature of 25 degrees, the left-hander worked eight innings in an extra-inning 1-0 win over the Cavaliers tossing his sixth career complete game. Apicella notched 10 strikeouts, his eighth game in double figures over the last two years, while yielding just three hits and three walks in the game. Only two runners advanced into scoring position in the game against the hurler.
"It really reminded me of my high school days where up north it's always cold playing baseball and constantly playing in the snow," Apicella said. "Nothing different playing in those conditions. We prepared all spring so far playing in those conditions so all of our position players were ready. To stay warm between innings we had a heater in the dugout and I had some hand-warmers in my pocket to help keep my hands warm."
In 40 extra-inning games under Carson-Newman coach Tom Griffin since 2006, Apicella is the lone flamethrower to pitch a complete game in contests that extend beyond regulation.
The honor is the third time that Apicella has been named the league's pitcher of the week after doing so twice in 2015. The southpaw is one of 10 C-N pitchers to win the award since the league began recording the plaudit in 2006. Apicella joins Austin Bridgewater as the only pitchers with three selections as Bridgewater won twice in 2010 and once in 2011.
Apicella and the Eagles are back in action on Friday with a doubleheader against Northwood (Mich.) beginning at 1 p.m. from the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex. The Eagle Sports Network has broadcast coverage on cneagles.com/live with video and audio streams beginning at 12:50 p.m.
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