A staple in the UCF baseball lineup, Ben McCabe has played in 115 of the Knights 137 games over the last three seasons. A rising junior from Sarasota, Fla., McCabe led the Knights offense this past season with 56 RBI and led the team in HRs for most of the season, finishing with 12 long balls. Since the Black & Gold's run in the American Athletic Conference Championship tournament, McCabe has had some time to reflect on the past year and answer some questions about what he's up to today. Hear what he had to say below:
What have you been up to this summer?
"I began the summer playing summer baseball with the Sanford River Rats of the Florida Collegiate Summer League – I played about two weeks with them. I'm currently in Wausau, Wisconsin playing for the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Northwoods League and hopefully can win a NWL Championship while I'm up here."
This past season was unlike any other, do you have a favorite memory from this past season, despite playing through the pandemic?
"The first day of team practice last fall. It was the first time we were fully able to be on the field as a team, we got to see the entire group together for the first time and play as a team. So, it was the first time that it felt like we were a team."
The 2021 UCF baseball team had a lot of underclassmen contributing in meaningful ways throughout the season, how do you see those guys impacting the program in years to come?
"The younger guys are going to be a really big part of the program – they came in and learned how we go about our business at UCF. AS the season went on, those freshmen weren't really freshman anymore. They became more mature players, and I'm excited to see them step into bigger roles next year."
As a veteran of the UCF baseball team, what kind of advice would you give incoming freshman?
"Listen to the older guys, hear and take in what they have to say – the things we share are things that we wish we knew when we were in their shoes a couple years ago. And of course, work hard every day, don't take anything for granted."
What are you most excited about for the 2021-22 year, and the 2022 season?
"I can't wait to just get back with the guys and have a real fall with the team. The fall season last year was tough because of the pandemic and restrictions, so I'm excited to be able to get back with the guys, meet the new guys, work on getting stronger, better and ready for the season."
Do you have a favorite place or location on campus?
"I like to walk through Memory Mall on my way to classes, it's fun to see all the activities and things that people are up to on the lawns, so I usually make a point to walk through Memory Mall."
After graduating with your bachelor's in management, you're beginning to work on a second degree in finance. What is one of the classes you're most looking forward to taking as you begin your new degree program?
"One class I'm looking forward to is FIN 4243 Debt and Money Markets. The course covers debt, money market investments, market structure, trading, and valuation. I gained an interest in the stock market this year with all the news surrounding it, so I'm excited to learn more about investments and using some of the UCF resources to make some myself."