The Desert Advocate

Editor | Links | Contact Us | Home

Classifieds | News | Events

(Click picture for full size image)

NCAA honors ex‑local player
Matusz up for top baseball awards
by Jason Stone

CAVE CREEK – A Cave Creek resident who is now playing in San Diego is up for three of the most prestigious awards in college baseball.

Brian Matusz, who played at St. Mary’s High School from 2001‑05, is one of 16 finalists for the Dick Howser Award, which goes to the nation’s top college player, one of 10 finalists for the Roger Clemens Award, which honors the NCAA’s top pitcher, and one of 50 finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, which also honors the top player.

Matusz, a 6‑foot‑4 left‑hander for the University of San Diego, last week became the school’s all‑time single‑season strikeout leader (132) and has a 10‑2 record with a team‑leading 2.43 ERA entering the week. He will return to action May 25 as the USD Toreros open the West Coast Conference Championship Series at home.

The Howser Award will be announced June 15, while the Golden Spikes choice will be announced on June 29. The Clemens honor will be made public July 11.

Many consider the Dick Howser Award to be the most prestigious in college baseball. The award, which is named in the memory of the former Florida State All‑American shortstop and Major League player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987, has been attached to many legendary players over the years.

Previous recipients include Robin Ventura (1988), Jason Varitek (1994), J.D. Drew (1997), Mark Teixeira (2000) and Mark Prior (2001). Past winners of the Golden Spikes Award include Bob Horner (1978), Terry Francona (1980), Will Clark (1985), Jim Abbott (1988) and Pat Burrell (1998).

The Roger Clemens Award, named for the future Hall of Famer who played at the University of Texas in the early 1980s, is in its third year.

Awards are nothing new to Matusz, who earned state Player of the Year honors in 2005 as a senior at St. Mary’s. During that season, Matusz went 8‑1 with a 0.50 ERA.

The Los Angeles Angels selected him in the fourth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft, but he opted to attend the University of San Diego instead.

Matusz was also recently picked as a member for the USA Baseball National Team, which will represent the country internationally this summer, including the Pan Am Games.

Back To Sports