Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

2011 (Junior): Delivered his best year yet, leading the team with 24 appearances and finishing the regular season with an ERA of 1.95 … started the season in the bullpen and, following an uneven first month, compiled an ERA of 1.12 over a dominant stretch of pitching from March 26 – May 20 … opposing batters hit just .203 against him during that time … pitched his best against OVC competition as he finished 2-0 with a save and a 0.59 ERA during conference play … OVC batters hit just .168 against him … was moved to the starting rotation late in the season and did not disappoint … pitched 4.2 innings without allowing an earned run in a Colonel win over Murray State on May 7 … then went seven strong innings at Jacksonville State a week later, allowing just one run on four hits … was named the OVC Co-Pitcher of the Week following a four-day stretch in which he earned a save against Marshall on April 5 and a win at Austin Peay on April 9 … came on against Marshall in the ninth inning with one out, the bases loaded and the tying run on deck, and was able to escape the jam, inducing a foul out and notching a strike out, to earn his first save of the season … He then came out of the bullpen in the fourth inning against Austin Peay and stifled the Govs over the last four innings of the game, surrendering just one unearned run on one hit while striking out five … played for the Lexington Hustlers of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League over the summer and was the team’s best pitcher, posting a 3-2 record, 2.72 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 39.2 innings of work.

2010 (Sophomore): Emerged as one of the Colonels’ most reliable middle relievers late in the season … second on the team with 29 appearances … recorded a team-best 42 strikeouts in only 51.2 innings of work … ended the season with a record of 4-5 … named OVC Pitcher of the Week following a week (March 21-28) in which he was nearly unhittable in four appearances … he pitched 9.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowed one hit and struck out eight while earning two conference victories over Eastern Illinois … also picked up wins against Austin Peay (April 11) and Dayton (May 11( … picked up his first career save against SEC foe Tennessee when he retired the final batter of the game in the bottom of the 10th (March 3) … also notched a key conference save against Austin Peay (April 10).

2009 (Freshman): In his first career appearance, came in on the road against No. 25 Louisville and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just one run and striking out two batters (Feb. 25) … struck out Louisville’s Chris Dominguez, a preseason first team All-American, with two outs and two men on to silence a potential rally in the fourth inning of that game … pitched two strong innings against Louisville a couple weeks later in the Colonels’ upset of the ranked Cardinals, going two innings and allowing just one run on three hits (March 3) … got Dominguez to ground out to end that game … picked up his first career win against in-state rival Western Kentucky when he pitched three innings and surrendered just two runs on three hits (March 18) … delivered another strong conference outing against Murray State when he worked 4.2 innings and allowed just two runs while striking out five batters.

High School Accomplishments: Carried a 6-1 record his senior year with a 1.60 ERA ... recorded 49 strikeouts and only 11 walks in 51 innings of work ... earned first team all-city honors that season...Also given the team’s Most Outstanding Pitcher Award ... as a junior, he went 6-1 with a 1.67 ERA while recording 45 strikeouts and 13 walks in 50 innings of work ... named third team all-city as a junior ... carried a 3.4 GPA throughout high school and was named to the National Honor Roll ... played summer ball for the Kentucky Baseball Club in 2008.

Personal: Born April 30, 1990 ... son of Tom and Kay Harris ... majoring in sports management.


Get to Know Matt Harris ...

One interesting fact about yourself: I was the Martin Hall ping pong champion two years running

What is currently playing on your iPod: Dubstep

What is your favorite inspirational quote: “Don’t count the days, make the days count"

Favorite movie: The Godfather

If you could have dinner with three people, they would be: Brad Pitt, Nolan Ryan and Dave Mathews

Favorite food: My mom's chicken and monestra (Greek)

Three things on your “bucket list” are: Skydive, learn to surf and safari in Africa

What song gets you pumped before games: "Promises (Skrillex Remix)" by Nero

What are your pregame superstitions: Nothing pregame, just don't step on foul lines and my hat and glove have to be to the left of me in between innings

What has been the biggest highlight of your EKU career: Save against Tennessee or winning OVC Pitcher of the Week twice

What do you want to accomplish before your career at EKU is over: Be named OVC Pitcher of the Year and win the OVC regular season and tournament championship