John Matthews

Photo by: Nick Cammett

Photo by: David Dermer

Photo by: David Dermer

Photo by: David Dermer

KENT STATE HONORS AND AWARDS

2018 SEASON

Turned in a 7-6 record in the 2019 campaign, making 16 appearances and 11 starts
Led the team with seven wins, earning four in consecutive relief appearances April 27 to May 17.
Ranked in the top-10 i the MAC in opposing batting average (.245), innings pitched (77.2), strikeouts (91), batters struck out looking (25), and wins (7).
Struck out a career and team season-high 10 batters in a relief appearance against Toledo May 4

2018 SEASON

Totaled 28.2 innings pitched out of the bullpen, recording 38 strikeouts
Allowed only 8 earned runs on the year, maintaining a 2.51 ERA
Against Northern Illinois on April 13, tossed 3.0 scoreless innings, striking out 6
Did not allow a home run the entire season
Pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in relief to help the Flashes knock off New Mexico State in the Lubbock Regional
Allowed only one run out of the bullpen from March 28 through the end of the season

2017 SEASON

Played in 37 games with 32 starts as a position player
Hit .221 with 8 doubles
Stole 2 bases on 3 attempts
On the mound, threw 5.0 innings in 5 appearances with a 5.40 ERA
Recorded one save and struck out 8 batters, walking 5
Went 3-for-4 at the plate on March 10 at the College of Charleston with 2 RBIs
Picked up 3 hits against Central Michigan on March 30, including a walkoff single in the 10th inning
Did not allow a hit in his first two appearances on the bump, spanning 1.2 frames
Struck out 3 in 1.0 inning against Buffalo with not hits and one walk
Also did not allow a hit in his last two appearances, both lasting 1.0 frame

PRIOR TO KENT STATE

Lettered four years in baseball and basketball at Punxsutawney Area High School
Team went 19-5 in 2016, 19-2 in 2015, 15-6 in 2014, and 14-8 in 2013 as they won the District Championship each year
Posted a perfect 20-0 record on the mound, with 172 career strikeouts
Named a League All-Star, District All-Star, District MVP, and Central Penn Player of the Year as a senior
Went 7-0 with a 0.65 ERA as a senior while also batting .467
Hit .296 with a 6-0 record to be named a District and League All-Star his junior season
Posted a .342 batting average and 7-0 record on the mound as a sophomore
Also played for Team All-America and Baird Brothers

PERSONAL

Born January 21, 1998 in Punxsutawney, Pa.
Parents are John and Tressa
Has one brother, Brandon
Enjoys baseball and basketball
Lists his father as the person he most admires because he works so hard and puts everyone before himself
Is creeped out by spiders
Superstition is to always tighten his belt on the third hole
Would like to visit Hawaii
Majoring in Business Finance