Matt Rowland, 3B/OF, Chestnut Hill Academy, Class of 2013

               

Matt Rowland is heading to Louisville and Prep Baseball Report caught up with him to ask him a few questions about his college selection. Rowland is a versatile player who can play on the left side of the infield as well as in the outfield. Based on Rowland's ability to run a 6.65 60-yard dash, catching up with him was no easy task.  

PBR:  Where have you decided to attend college and why did you make this choice?
Rowland:  I’ve decided to attend the University of Louisville.  I picked Louisville because of their baseball program’s winning tradition, the coaches, and academically it offers all of the majors that I am considering studying.

PBR:  What other schools were you considering?
Rowland: Some of my other final schools were Pittsburgh, Duke, and William and Mary.

PBR:  Was distance from home a factor in your decision?
Rowland: No, distance from home was not a factor in my decision.

PBR:  Where did the coaches first see you?  How did your relationship develop with their coaching staff?
Rowland: I’m not exactly sure where the coaches first saw me play. I know that Coach Lemonis, their recruiting coordinator, was at the Perfect Game National showcase in June and saw me play numerous other times this summer. We talked throughout the summer and once I took my visit, I knew that Louisville was where I wanted to be.

PBR:  What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?
Rowland: They expect a lot of players from this year’s team to get drafted after this season, so there will be plenty of opportunity for me to earn a starting role my freshman year.

PBR:  What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that will help your team?
Rowland: I think that my biggest strength as a player is my versatility. It can help my team because I can play almost any position on the field and fill in wherever the team needs me.

PBR:  Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most memorable experience from this past summer?
Rowland: I play for the EvoShield Canes. My most memorable experience from this past summer was definitely the Perfect Game National Showcase. Getting the opportunity to play in the Metrodome and compete against the best players in the nation was incredible.

PBR:  What is your current GPA?
Rowland: I currently have a 3.7 GPA.

PBR:  Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?
Rowland: Individually, I want to improve my arm strength and continue to work on my speed.  As a team, our goal for this season is to win the Inter-Ac and Independent School State championships.

PBR: How did Prep Baseball Report aid you in gaining exposure as a potential college baseball recruit?
Rowland: I never got the opportunity to attend a Prep Baseball Report event, but I’m sure that my state ranking and profile assisted me in my recruiting process.