22 Kent Matthes

Coming off an excellent summer, Matthes is set to become one of UA’s starting outfielders this season.

SUMMER (2006):

Matthes played summer ball for the Winter Pines Warthogs in the Florida Collegiate Summer League
He was named the Winter Pines Warthogs Most Valuable Player after a stellar summer
He was the starting third baseman in 27 games and batted .274 (29-for-106) with seven home runs and 15 RBI
Matthes led the league with seven home runs and ranked fifth with a .519 slugging percentage
In addition to his power numbers, he was 8-for-8 in stolen bases and posted a .905 fielding mark
Matthes also earned FCSL Player of the Week accolades after going 4-for-9 (.444) with two home runs and three RBI in late June

SOPHOMORE (2006):

Matthes played in 31 games and made 14 starts in his first season with the Crimson Tide and closed with a strong finish
He hit .200 (11-for-55) with one home run and eight RBI
Matthes was 6-for-21 (.286) with one home run and five RBI in his last eight games
In 11 SEC games, he was 2-for-15 (.133) with one RBI
He collected his first career hit at No. 6 Nebraska on March 12
Matthes went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI in helping the Crimson Tide to a 13-3 win over No. 20 Southern Miss on March 15
Collected two hits and one RBI at No. 23 Georgia on March 19
Slugged two-run home run against LSU in first round of SEC Tournament at Hoover Met on May 24
Tallied one hit and one RBI against Troy in championship game of NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional on June 4
Matthes went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI against No. 5 North Carolina at NCAA Super Regional on June 10

PREP:

A 2005 graduate of Edgewater High School in Orlando, Fla., where he played baseball (2002-05) and basketball (2002)
His high school coach was Chip Gierke
As a prep senior, Matthes batted .409 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI in 23 games
He was a First-Team All-State, All-Central Florida and All-County selection
Also played in the 2005 FACA High School All-Star Game in Jacksonville, Fla.
As a junior, Matthes batted .446 with five home runs and 18 RBI
Named to the 2004 AFLAC High School All-American All-Star Game in Aberdeen, Md.
Recognized as the best AAU player in the nation when he was awarded the Disney and Sears Excellence Achievement and Recognition Award for sportsmanship, commitment, teamwork and academic achievement in 2000
He has also participated at the 2004 Baseball America World Wood Bat Association Championships (Ft. Myers), 2004 Perfect Game Championships (East Cobb, Ga.) and Perfect Game and Team One national showcases

PERSONAL:

University of Alabama Athletics