Lee’s Summit West is off to a hot first half of the season, continually being ranked as the No. 1 or No 2 team in the Prep Baseball Report weekly ranking of teams across the state. A sure fire contender to be playing for a state championship in June, Lee’s Summit West is a veteran team, with 1B/LHP Matt Hall being a big piece of their success.

Through yesterday, Hall is batting .474 with six doubles, eighteen RBIs, and twenty runs scored. As impressive as his offensive numbers are, his pitching stats jump off the charts: 4-0 with a miniscule ERA of 0.22. Hall has given up only one run in thirty-six and two thirds innings pitched, accumulating forty-three strikeouts. He is nearly unhittable, with opponents posting a .181 batting average against him.

We recently caught up with Hall, who will be continuing his career at Missouri State next year.

PBR: You are a big contributor to the No. 2 team in our rankings. Talk a little about the how you have contributed and the supporting cast around you.

MH:  I am a team leader.  I am leading the team both on the mound(0.18 era (1 earned run in 37 innings) and 4-0 record and at the plate( 0.475 BA).  When one person doesn’t get it done, then someone else picks it up.

PBR: What is it like playing for Lee’s Summit West, a school that has been a fixture in our Top 10 this season?

MH:  I think it is awesome playing with the group of kids that we have and coaches as well. All of the players and coaches get along well on and off the field. Our team is handling it well by not letting the whole rankings thing get in our head.

PBR: Which schools were you considering prior to committing to Missouri State?

MH:  Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Austin Peay, Wichita State, Creighton, and of course Missouri State.

PBR: What were the reasons that you ultimately chose Missouri State?

MH:  Missouri State has a great coaching staff, great location, opportunity, great conference, great baseball atmosphere. I didn’t get that from other schools.  I know I am at the right spot.

PBR: What was the relationship you had with Coach Guttin and Missouri State staff in the recruitment process?

MH:  Coach Guttin and Coach Evans were the difference makers in my decision. They made me feel comfortable, were easy to talk to, and great baseball minds. They made me feel at home.

PBR:  As one of Missouri’s top two-way talents, has the Missouri State coaching staff indicated whether they would like to use you as strictly a position player or pitcher? Or do they seem open to a two-way role?

MH:  I will have the opportunity to compete for a position in the field on the days I do not pitch.

PBR: Do you feel that playing in Kansas City and facing the competition you do has prepared you to be a DI player?

MH:  Absolutely, since I was ten years old I have been playing against the best competition in the country.

PBR: What are your thoughts on the implementation of BBCOR bats from a hitting and pitching perspective?

MH:  Of course I like it from the pitching perspective, but when it comes to hitting I am not a fan. I would rather swing a wood bat.

PBR: Do you feel that this season has been any different considering that you know where you’ll attend college?

MH: I feel that it lets me focus more on the game instead of who is at the game and how I am doing during the game.

PBR: What do you hope to accomplish in this upcoming season, both individually and as a team?

MH: I hope to go undefeated as a pitcher with a sub 1 era, swing the bat well consistently all year, and most importantly… win a state title!

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher/hitter that you have faced?

MH:  Hitter- Matt Fultz from Lee’s Summit West    Pitcher- Bryan Young from Staley

PBR: What is your most memorable moment in baseball so far in your life?

MH: Pitching a no hitter against our cross town rival. (Lee’s Summit High School).