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‘Twin telepathy’
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Mooney’s Margo Ucchino makes it past Walsh’s Calia Battista (4) untagged as Battista fi elds a ground ball during the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game at Boardman’s Fields of Dreams.
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Walsch’s Taylor Koenig (6) plays fi rst base as Mooney’s Macy Ucchino (14) prepares for a run to second base during the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game at Boardman’s Fields of Dreams.
Mooney seniors Macy and Margo Ucchino are standouts on the field and off it
By Joe Scalzo
BOARDMAN
When you listen to Macy and Margo Ucchino talk, it’s hard to quite describe their relationship.
Phrases like “affectionate annoyance” and “kind-hearted criticism” come to mind. Basically, they get along so well, they can pretend they don’t.
For instance, ask them what it’s like to play softball with your twin sister and you get answers like this:
“It’s annoying at times,” said Margo.
“It’s frustrating at times,” Macy said, adding, “I find that we have a lot of confidence in each other to make plays and be there for each other.”
Or when you ask whether there’s anything you need to know about them and you get these answers.
“I’m the better twin,” Margo said. “I’m the favorite child overall and the favorite twin.”
Macy narrowed her eyebrows and said, “I’m pretty sure I’m the better twin. I’m older by two minutes.”
The Ucchino twins are cornerstones of a Mooney team with a 20-4 record and a chance of making a nice run in the postseason. The Cardinals proved it Wednesday, rallying from a 3-0 deficit against state power Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit to tie the game before falling 5-3.
Macy, a four-year letterwinner who plays left field and second base, had two of Mooney’s five hits and scored its first run. Margo, a three-year letterwinner who plays shortstop, had another hit and reached base twice.
“They’re consummate leaders,” said Mooney coach Mark Rinehart. “They’re leaders on the field by the way they play the game. You can put them at any position, they bat when you ask them to, they bunt when you ask them to and they play the position when you ask them to.
“They never put themselves ahead of the team.”
They grew up watching their older sisters, Mallory and Morgan, and older brother, Matt, and developed the same love for the game. (Asked about the five M’s, Margo shrugged and said, “Well, our parents liked the name Matt and they liked Mallory and Morgan, so when we came out, they’re like, ‘Oh, let’s name them M’s.’”)
They’ve excelled on the field and off it, where Margo carries a 4.3 grade point average and plans to major in engineering at Ohio State. Macy has a 4.2 GPA and plans to major in English at Ohio State.
“Mooney softball has been a big part of our lives,” said Margo. “We got a good work ethic from our family and we carried it over .”
Added Macy, “Just the Mooney family in general has meant so much. Great support, great fan base ... it’s just a great atmosphere.”
The two challenge each other and expect a lot from one another, Margo said.
“If she misses something, I know she should get it because I have confidence in her,” she said.
Macy called their connection “twin telepathy,” which manifests itself in giving the same quotes (like taking the tournament “one game at a time”) and wanting the same things (like tacos from Los Gallos on Cinco de Mayo).
The Ucchinos are probably more impressive in the classroom than the weight room — “What are you trying to say?” Margo said. “Because I’m 5-11/2?” — but they add plenty of positives to the Cardinal softball team, too.
Alas, power isn’t one.
“Yeah, they’re not going to get off the airplane and scare anybody,” Rinehart said, smiling. “But in the classroom, they’re among the best students at Cardinal Mooney. And as far as athletes, if I’m going to go try and win an important game I would take those two on my side any time.
“Mooney’s a better school because those two have been here and the Mooney softball program is a better program because they’ve been here for four years.”