Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Nick Cabico

Steve Virgen

The following words are of little concern to Nick Cabico. For the

second time in his final prep year the Costa Mesa High pitcher/wingback

is the Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week.

Six months ago this week, he was named Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week

in football. But, if something is not a means to a win, don’t bring it to

Cabico. He appreciates the honor, but that’s as far as it goes.

“They really don’t mean too much to me,” Cabico said of the many

trophies and awards he has earned throughout his athletic playing days.

“I don’t think I’ve accomplished any of the major goals.”

He said a CIF championship would be a major goal. So, it makes sense

that when Costa Mesa baseball coach Kirk Bauermeister thought Cabico

broke the school’s single-game strikeout record March 9 Cabico didn’t

want the scorecard that Bauermeister offered.

“I didn’t want the scorecard because one game is not it,” Cabico said.

“There are a lot more games to the season. I don’t want it to be a

distraction. I don’t want it to go to my head. I don’t like being

satisfied. You have to keep on working.”

As it turned out, Cabico did not break the school record. Jeff

Goettsch struck out 15 batters in one game in 1983. Cabico, who was told

the record was 13, asked to face one more batter against Pacifica. He

struck out that final batter for his 14th strikeout of the game.

“It didn’t bother me,” Cabico said of realizing he didn’t break the

record. “It really wasn’t a big deal.

I want to win CIF, win league and prove to the team and myself that we

are capable of being one of the best teams in the county.”

The 2002 Mustangs, who Bauermeister calls, “the best group of kids

I’ve had in 20 years,” displayed their early-season progress in the

Newport Elks Tournament. Cabico provided the exclamation point with his

14-strikeout performance that led to a 5-2 win over Pacifica and the

Costa Mesa Division title of the tourney.

He struck out the final seven batters he faced, throwing just four

balls. The Mustangs’ ace retired the side in order in the third, fourth

and sixth innings. Pacifica hit just two balls to the outfield against

Cabico. The Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week had only three walks and

scattered just two hits against the 23 batters he faced in 6 1/3 innings.

“He just went out and carried us on his back and he has been the

leader,” Bauermeister said of his four-year varsity letter winner. “He’s

one of our best players. He brings so much more than his playing skills.

He works hard and takes the other kids under his wing. He’s been showing

them how to go and get a win.

Nicky is really not fazed by that (record) stuff. I never had any

player really like him. Getting a record like that is probably more

embarrassing than valuable to him. But since we won we were all fine with

it.”

Cabico, a former Costa Mesa Little League star, has earned his role of

being a leader, Bauermeister added. Back when Cabico was a freshman, he

paid his dues. He took mental notes and worked overtime to become the

player he is today. Cabico said his freshman year is one of the more

memorable events of high school, save for what takes place this season.

When Cabico was a freshman the Mustangs, unseeded in the CIF Division

IV playoffs, advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in 37

years. Cabico’s pitching led to a first-round win over Duarte.

“That whole year was fun, a lot of things happened that year,” Cabico

said. “I grew a lot as a person and a baseball player. The whole year was

just a good experience.”

Now, Cabico is the one lending his experience to help younger players

on the Costa Mesa squad. He has developed a special mentor-apprentice

type of relationship with junior George Vargas. In addition, Cabico has

been thriving in his role as a leader of the Mustangs.

“It’s a lot more work; you have a better perspective of things,”

Cabico said of being a leader. “There are a lot more things I’m learning

as a senior.”

Cabico, who also lettered in football, basketball and track and field

at Costa Mesa, plans to play baseball for Chapman University next year.

“Right now I’m just focusing on baseball,” Cabico said. “I haven’t

been considering playing football. But I’m not totally closing out.”