In the last two seasons, Apicella has guided the Pioneers to their highest ascent in the history of the program – the College World Series. In the last two Northeast Regionals, the Pioneers have posted a perfect 8-0 tournament record.

In his 11th season as the head softball coach at C.W. Post.  Apicella is 391-150 in 10 years as the Pioneer softball coach and is the program’s all-time winningest coach.  Last season, Apicella led his team to a 48-16 record, setting a new school record for wins for the third straight season, en route to a seventh consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament berth. The Pioneers captured their second consecutive NCAA Division II Northeast Region championship, and advanced to the Division II College World Series in Houston, Texas. Samantha Yodowitz was named the ECC Player of the Year, and seven players were named to All-Conference teams. Four players earned Daktronics, Inc. All-Region honors and five players earned NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-Region recognition. In addition, Yodowitz was named an All-American for the second time in her career.

For the third straight season, Apicella’s squad earned NCAA Division II All-Academic team recognition, placing eight student-athletes on the ECC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and finishing the season with a 3.30 cumulative GPA.

Two years ago C.W. Post finished the season ranked No. 8 nationally in the Division II poll, matching the highest ranking in Apicella’s tenure. The Pioneers also featured two-time All-American, pitcher Samantha Yodowitz and catcher Christie Softy, eight All-ECC selections including Rookie of the Year (Softy), and six NFCA All-Region selections. He was rewarded for his eff orts when he and assistant coach Kelsey Walker were named the 2007 NFCA Northeast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year, with Apicella receiving the honor for the second consecutive year.

The 2007 squad also performed well in the classroom, with Jill Fisher earning ECC Scholar of the Year Accolades and the team achieving NCAA Division II All-Academic Team recognition, as well as fi nishing fi fth among all Division II softball programs in the country with a 3.49 cumulative GPA.

2006 saw Apicella guide C.W. Post to a 44-11 record, as well as an East Coast Conference Championship, its fifth consecutive appearance in the Northeast Region Championships, and its second straight year as a Northeast Region fi nalist, fi nishing as regional runner-up. Danielle Stallone was named the ECC Pitcher of the Year and Jill Fisher was named the ECC Player of the Year. Seven players were named to the All-NYCAC teams and five were named to the NFCA All-Region teams. In addition, Apicella and assistant coaches Michelle Bettles and Katie Houst received the 2006 NFCA Northeast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year Honors.

In 2005, Apicella led the team to 39 victories and a New York Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season title, leading the team to a runner-up fi nish in the Northeast Region Championships.

In each of Apicella’s nine seasons, the Pioneers have won 30-plus games, and C.W. Post’s active streak in that category now stands at 12 years.

Apicella received NYCAC Coach of the Year in 2002, and NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year Honors in 2002, with assistant Lindsay Sawyer, and in 2000, with assistant Larissa Anderson.

Apicella originally joined the team as an assistant, but was elevated to the top spot shortly before the start of the 1999 season. Prior to his arrival, Apicella spent three seasons in the coaching box for the C.W. Post baseball team.

He was a three-year standout baseball player for C.W. Post, compiling a batting average of over .350 with 21 home runs and 126 runs batted in for his career. His 49 RBI in 1994 ranks as the fifth best single-season total in school history, while his 113 total bases ranks fourth.

He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1994 and played in the Giant’s minor league system, and was inducted into the C.W. Post Baseball Hall of Fame in February 2000, in recognition of his achievements on the field. He was also inducted into the Smithtown Hall of Fame.

In addition to his coaching and associate athletic director duties at C.W. Post, Apicella is the director of the New York Softball Academy.

Apicella and his wife Kimberly reside in Hauppauge, N.Y., with their two children, Madison (4) and Alexander (2).