March 30, 2009

Nine Innings with Carmen Del Mastro

By Phil Stanton

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

Who is in first place in the Atlantic 10? There is a tie between Temple and Dayton, as both have won their first six conference games.

To tell us more about the Owls, we turned to senior second baseman Carmen Del Mastro. The Philadelphia native is leading the team in batting at .444 and in runs with 28. He had his first collegiate home run earlier this season.

Del Mastro was named A-10 Player of the Week on Monday. He batted .650 (13 for 20) in five games with eight runs and four RBI. Del Mastro leads the conference with 40 hits and 12 stolen bases. He is third in batting.

The Owls are 11-11 overall, but have won nine of their past 11, including a three-game sweep of La Salle this past weekend.

Del Mastro recently took some time to answer our questions about himself and his Owls.

First Inning – What had changed for the Owls in winning nine of the past 11 after an eight-game losing streak prior to that?

I think the eight seniors on the team really stepped up and showed the younger guys what it takes to be competitive. The talent on this team is incredible and it was only a matter of time until we started to put it all together.

Second Inning – What does it mean to win the first six A-10 games, Temple's best conference start in 25 years?

It means a lot. Last year we started 5-1 and in previous years we got off to a slower start, so it really feels good to be in the position we’re in right now.
 

Third Inning – You hit .266 a season ago and are hitting .444 this season. What has made the difference?

A lot of hard work and dedication. I think the time I spent this past summer in Colorado (playing in the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League) really helped me develop my swing and slow the game down. The past couple of years I had a couple of nagging injuries and it finally feels good to be healthy.

Fourth Inning – What makes the offense so strong this season?

Whenever you can put six or seven seniors in your lineup, the offense is going to take off. It’s a bunch of guys that bring their own style of the game to the lineup every day and that really get us going.

Fifth Inning – You had 10 more steals as a junior than you did as a sophomore. What was the major difference for you?

Just getting more comfortable every year and having the right coaching to help me with my jumps.

Sixth Inning – What would it mean to you for Temple to make the NCAA Tournament?

That would be truly amazing after only winning 12 games my freshman year to getting a chance to play against the best teams in the country. I think that alone speaks for itself.

Seventh Inning – What was it like to hit your first collegiate home run this season?

It felt good. I think it was about time I finally hit one so I’m just grateful I had the opportunity to do so. Hopefully I’ll get another one this year.

Eighth Inning – What does it mean to you to be a team co-captain this season?

It means a lot to be to be able to say I’m the captain of this team. Any one of the eight seniors could very well be a captain as well, I’m just glad I can represent my team and university.

Ninth Inning – What does it mean to you to play college baseball in your hometown?

I take a lot of pride in playing in my hometown because I feel like I have to represent where I come from. Not many people get the opportunity that I have so I try to take advantage of it every day.

Extra Innings – You are a magazine journalism major. What do you hope to do after your baseball playing days?

Hopefully I’ll be able to write for a major sports magazine and eventually work my way up, then maybe get some television time on a sports show. I just hope I can enjoy whatever it is that I end up doing.

(Photos courtesy of Temple Media Relations Office)