Athlete Spotlight: Ryan Barbieri
Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications
SALEM, Mass.- This week Salem State Athletics is highlighting freshman designated hitter Ryan Barbieri (Cheshire, Conn.), who earned MASCAC Rookie of the Week honors. Barberi batted .667 (8-12) with two doubles, two home runs, eight RBI, a stolen base and six runs scored with a 1.333 slugging percentage and .750 on-base percentage in four wins for the Vikings. He went 4-for-4 with a double, home run, four RBI, walk and two runs scored in a 9-8 win over SUNY-Canton. Barberi was 2-for-4 with a go-ahead double in the ninth inning, plus a home run and three RBI in a 9-7 win over Central (Iowa).
The rookie talked about how surprised he was earning MASCAC Rookie of the Week. "I was very surprised. Coach Gummow had mentioned something about nominating me for it after the game, but I wasn't sure if I would actually win it. I'm pleased that I was given an opportunity and performed to the best of my ability."
He also added on what it means for him earning this accomplishment. "It means a lot to be given an opportunity, to compete at this level alongside such a good group of guys. Earning rookie of the week was big, but I couldn't have done it without the support of my teammates and coaches since we started practicing in the fall."
Barbieri spoke about the first game of spring break against Rowan. "Obviously, Rowan is a great team. A nationally ranked division three team. I think that even though we lost, there was a lot to build off of. We got down early, which allowed for some new faces to get an opportunity. Brandon McMahon (Malden, Mass.) and Nolan Currier (Maynard, Mass.) came out of the bullpen and kept us in the game and came up big for us when we needed it. You always want to win every game, but every game, win or lose, is something to build off of. Seeing those guys make their first appearances against a nationally ranked team and do so well was awesome to see."
The rookie also mentioned other players who have stepped up early. "Brock [Pare] is a big factor in any game, whether he is on the mound or not. He's always bringing energy to every game and plays for the guys next to him. Any time Brock is on the mound we have a good chance to win. Brock is an extremely hard worker and it shows every time he's out there. Mark [Smith] has been clutch for us all season so far. He's a great leader and brings tremendous knowledge and experience to the game and shares a lot with the team. Brock and Mark are both huge leaders for this team and are key reasons for our success so far. Yabdriel [Gonzalez] came through in a big way for us. He has been having his own struggles in the field and he came up big for us and picked himself up. We all know what Yabdriel is capable of. It was great to see him get the job done and win us the game against UMaine-Farmington."
On March 18, Barberi had a game of a lifetime by going 6 for 8 with seven runs batted in. The Cheshire native mentioned how locked in he was for those games. "As stated previously, I was anxious before the game. I was very excited to get my first start, but very nervous at the same time. I was lucky enough to have some conversations with some of my teammates to help me get ready for the game. Once the game started, I was very locked in and that is mainly because of the guys having my back and supporting me."
The freshman, who currently is studying Criminal Justice talked about his two-run home run against SUNY-Canton. "I didn't know it was out as soon as I hit it. The swing was very similar to my first swing in which I hit the double on. I knew that I put a decent swing on it and got most of the barrel. It had just enough to get out which was an awesome feeling. I was hitting pretty low in the order so I was just trying to see a fastball and get a barrel on it. Luckily enough I was able to do so and come up big for the team." He also added on to the run support the following inning when he tallied two more Vikings' runs with a base hit in the 9-0 victory. "It is very important to have an approach in every situation. Not every situation you are trying to hit a homerun. A simple base hit scored two runs and was able to get the job done."
Barbieri talked about the game against Central (Iowa) and what changed between the first seven innings of the game to the final two innings of the game when the Vikings pulled away for a 9-7 victory. "We did a lot to change up the vibe in the dugout. We turned up the energy level and it was contagious and translated to the field and our at-bats. [Brock] was a big source of energy in the dugout, being loud and supporting the team. He was huge in that situation even though he wasn't playing."
The rally started in the eighth when Barbieri's home run cut the Vikings' deficit to two. "I'd like to think that was a spark that ignited the dugout. We all trust each other and know what we are all capable of. Someone always manages to come up big for us. That's why baseball is awesome. Someone can come up big one day and it might be someone else the next. You have to leave it all out on the field and good things will happen."
Salem State finished their spring break this past Friday scoring 22 runs against UMaine-Presque Isle. "We were able to put up so many runs up due to the team that we are. We play for each other, and good baseball is contagious. When one person does well, it gets passed down to the next. Even guys off of the bench were able to have some great swings including Aidan Lynch (North Andover, Mass.) and Ryan Bourgeois (Nashua, N.H.) who hit triples."
He mentioned what he will remember the most about the Florida trip. "What I will remember most about the trip would be the time we spent together as a team. We faced some adversity in the airport which we overcame and went 4-1. It takes a mature group to recognize that you've been dealt a bad hand, and it is up to you to make the most out of it. That is exactly what we did on and off the field. We played great on the field and built our team chemistry off of the field. The team chemistry that we have built and the memories we have made will be huge for us for the rest of the season. We play for each other no matter the situation and that will take us a long way."
He expressed what the sports means to him and when he started to follow his dreams to become a baseball player. "I started playing very young. Around t-ball age, likely 5 or 6. This sport means everything to me. It has always been something that I have given my all to and has been a huge source of happiness. I have so many childhood memories and friendships that I have made that I will forever be grateful."
His go-to meal. "On a normal day, my favorite food is mac and cheese. What goes with it can vary, sometimes. My dad makes some good chicken cutlets to go with it that are awesome. When I go out I often order buffalo chicken mac and cheese or steak and mac and cheese."
Barbieri spoke about the people that influence him in his life. "My parents, my brother, and my grandparents would be the most influential people in my life. My parents and grandparents work so hard to support myself and my brother and I could never thank them enough. They always offered their support and motivation for whatever task was at hand. Without them, I could not be where I am today. My brother played a special role as I followed in his footsteps throughout the early years. I would always watch his practices and games which increased my love for the game. He was and still is a very good resource for me as he has tackled more obstacles and has more real-world experience than me."
Barbieri who is a Red Sox fan expressed what kind of goals he wants to accomplish this season. "My goal for the team would be playing for a championship. That's the goal for any team. We want to be playing for a championship and we have a legitimate chance to do so with this group of guys."