Third-year shortstop Rocco Maue lives by the saying, “You never know who’s watching, so always do the right thing.”

Maue believes his greatest strength is his work ethic, both on and off the field. He said, “I may not be the most talented … I try to outwork [everyone else].”

Maue’s hard work was reflected when he received the University Athletic Association Spring All-Academic Recognition.

“Don’t cheat yourself [out of] your reps and studies,” he said.

Along with his academics, his work ethic is also displayed in his baseball stats. In the fifteen games played this season, the shortstop is hitting a career high .433 batting percentage, along with a .534 on base percentage and .750 slugging percentage. He already has nine extra-base hits, which is more than the six he hit for the past two seasons.

So far, Maue has five home runs, 17 runs batted in (RBI), 22 total runs scored and 12 stolen bases. He was a big contributor immediately during his first year, starting all 36 games he played in. His career highlights include going five for six with three RBIs and four runs scored against Oberlin College in his first year, and hitting three for five with an RBI and a double against North Carolina Wesleyan College in his second year. Most recently, Maue hit three home runs, driving in eight runs that propelled the Spartans in a 12-1 victory over Roger Williams University. His performance made him the Spartan Club Athlete of the Week for March 19th.

Like a lot of athletes on campus, Maue is involved in the fraternity Sigma Chi, which includes some of his baseball teammates. He said that it’s not only a good way to build some team chemistry, but also a good way to reach out and help the community with his fellow brothers.

Maue is a mechanical and aerospace engineering major, and has a future co-op with Consolidated Precision Products, which will provide insight on the aerospace manufacturing field.

HIs favorite part about the game is a toss up between the relationships he has developed with teammates and winning. He said, “I’ve met some great guys [on the field].”

Reaching the NCAA Division III tournament two years ago was his proudest achievement so far in his collegiate career.

“They took us out to Spokane, Washington and we played some really good teams in a cool stadium,” he said. “[I hope] we can make it to regionals and [the] World Series, that’s the goal for the team.”

Getting a taste of the big leagues early has only enhanced Maue’s drive for the game.