Trojan Baseball

4/9/2021
H.S. Baseball

John Erzar @ Times Leader.com

Nanticoke Area

Coach: Joe Yudichak

Class: 3A

District 2 Titles: 4 (last 2004)

2019 WVC record: 6-7 Div. 2, tied 2nd; 10-11 overall

2019 Postseason: D2-4A Playoffs – Valley View, L 4-1

Home field: High school

Key returning players: Derek Cease, SS-P, Sr.; Jake Krupinski, 3B-OF, Sr.; Luke Myers, 2B-P, Sr.; Devyn Sura, P-OF, Sr.; Nick Matson, P-OF, Jr.; Luke Spencer, P-3B, So.

Outlook: The Trojans could be one of the stronger teams in the WVC with three Division I recruit – Cease (Penn State), Myers (Maryland Eastern Shore) and Matson (West Virginia). They’ve proven it so far in their non-conference games, with Matson supplying plenty of power at the plate.

4/6/2021
Athlete of the Week: Nick Matson, Nanticoke Area baseball
Tyler Piccotti – Citizens Voice
Nick Matson

Nanticoke Area junior Nick Matson slugged three home runs, including a grand slam, and drove in 10 runs in a two-day span, helping the Trojans pick up a pair of victories as the WVC baseball season gets underway.

For his big week at the plate, Matson was selected The Citizens' Voice Athlete of the Week.

How good did it feel to start your season off with a couple big days at the plate? It’s definitely a good thing to start off that way. Our first game was the Saturday before, and I didn’t have a hit that game. So, I was just focusing on getting that first hit and getting it started, and then after that it just skyrocketed.

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How has your power as a hitter developed? My freshman year, I was more of a singles/doubles/triples guy, and then over the years I got in the weight room and got stronger. Last year before the season shut down, I had a couple home runs in (batting practice). This year, I hit the weight room hard and the ball was jumping off the bat.

What do you think is one of the biggest strengths of your team this season? I think it’s our defensive ability to get outs, catch balls in the air. Things like that. I feel like we have a pretty good shot at a district title this year. We have a game (today) at North Pocono, so that’s going to be a big test for us to see if we’re really that good.

You’ve already verbally committed to West Virginia. Is there any added pressure to show they made a good choice in recruiting you? In the back of my mind, there’s some aspect of that. But, I kind of just block that stuff out and play my game.

Was it hard not being able to play last year when you're hoping to showcase your skills for schools? Before my sophomore season, I was in touch with some college coaches but they really weren't set on giving me an offer. They weren't really able to see stats or anything. Until around May or June when we started traveling; I play travel ball. I went to a showcase, and that's where some coaches saw me. And then West Virginia saw me and that's when they offered me.

Do you have any personal goals for this season? Just trying to hit .300. But as long as the team is winning and if I'm not doing so hot, then that's OK.

Get to Know Nick

Age: 17

Family: Mother, Shannon; father, Nicholas

Favorite school subject: math

Favorite players: "On the pitching side, I like Trevor Bauer. As far as hitting, Aaron Judge."

Favorite movies: The "Fast & Furious" series

Favorite place to eat in the area: Rustic Kitchen at Mohegan Sun Pocono

In one word, Nick describes himself as ... determined.

If Nick were an animal, he would be ... a lion.

Baseball role model: Derek Jeter; "just his attitude that he had about the game."

One thing Nick is afraid of is ... heights.

Away from baseball, Nick likes to ... hang out with friends.