The 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed pitcher/outfielder made his announcement on February 9.
As a junior last year against national and regional competition, Matthews went 8-3 with a 2.32 ERA on the mound, while hitting .256 with 16 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
In making his announcement, Matthews said, “I am really looking forward to attending and playing baseball at Hood College in the fall. I have been truly blessed with great coaches at RBI and Huntingtown High School. Both not only teach the sport, but also teach life lessons.
“Through all my years of playing sports, my parents always emphasized hard work and dedication, in both the classroom and on the field.
“I have great respect for Hood Coach Beddick and RBI and HHS’s coaches who all have had a great impact on my life. They are very good at what they do. They know their stuff,” he said.
“I’m really comfortable with the campus and all those things. I’m really comfortable with Coach Beddick. He’s a great coach and a great recruiter so I feel comfortable Hood is where I want to go.
“The advice I would give the young athletes today, is to always remember that hard work pays off and follow your dreams.”
Matthews’ RBI position (pitching) coach Chris Cummings said Matthews’ work ethic will help him make a “seamless transition” into collegiate competition. “He’s dedicated to what he does, not just on the field but in the classroom as well. He’s a well-rounded student-athlete that will be a big asset to their team.”
Matthews’ success will promote underclassmen within the RBI program, said RBI manager Mike Graham. “Josh is our team’s only 2014 graduate this year and a terrific young man. Good student, great attitude toward life, kind and considerate, appreciative of what his parents and others do for him, and a darn good ballplayer. Everyone after him in the program being recruited sees him move to the next level and they can do it too.”
The Blazers compete in the NCAA Division III Commonwealth Conference of the Middle Atlantic Conference, which also includes Albright, Alvernia, Arcadia, Elizabethtown, Lebanon Valley, Messiah, Stevenson, and Widener.
