Winthrop University Athletics

2010:  Was a two-way player as a freshman playing numerous positions including third base, shortstop and pitcher. Hit .262 (38-for-145) with three home runs and 22 RBI in 45 games played with 38 starts. Recorded six doubles, 21 runs scored, 53 total bases, 14 walks, four stolen bases, a .366 slugging percentage and .327 on-base percentage. Also had 43 putouts and 77 assists in the field. Tied a team-high for assists in a game with seven against Canisius on Mar. 13. On the mound, went 0-2 with a 7.66 ERA in 10 appearances with two starts. Threw in 24.2 innings and allowed 24 runs (21 earned) on 38 hits, 10 walks, 19 strikeouts and an opponent batting average of .369. Also had one save, which came in an 8-5 win over Liberty on May 22. Recorded an RBI in his first collegiate game, also his first collegiate start, against Northwestern on Feb. 19. Hit first career home run in win over Marist on Feb. 22, a game in which he also tied his career-high in hits with three. Would later have another three-hit performance at Coastal Carolina on May 10. His career-high four RBI against Wagner on Feb. 28 came off his first collegiate grand slam; it was also his second home run of the season. Also homered in the last game of a doubleheader against Radford on Apr. 25. Had 10 multi-hit and four multi-RBI games and had a season-long hitting streak of seven games from Apr. 17 at UNC Asheville until May 1 against Presbyterian. Pitched a season-high 4.2 innings twice against Penn State on Mar. 20 and The Citadel on May 18. Struck out a career-best seven batters against the Nittany Lions, while he also fanned six against the Bulldogs on May 18. Made first collegiate start at North Carolina on Mar. 30 in which he pitched 4.0 innings. He also threw 4.0 innings in his other start of the season against the Citadel on Apr. 7. 

High School:  Helped lead Canon-McMillan to the 2008 Quad A Pennsylvania State Championship. Was the Observer Reporter Player of the Year in 2009 to go along with All-WPIAL and All-Section honors as well. Named Quad A All-State and All-Section during the 2008 season. His two-year career statistics include a .445 batting average, 15 doubles, seven home runs and 43 RBI. Also owns a 6-1 record on the mound with a 3.25 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 51 innings. 

Personal:  The son off Gary and Rena Pierpont, Matt is an Exercise Science major who enjoys hanging out with friends, and plans on playing professional baseball after graduation. His favorite food is pizza, and Beyond Belief – Josh Hamilton is his favorite book. Evan Longoria is his favorite athlete.