When life-long home-schooler, Mathias Westfall, transferred to this campus Feb. 8, most only expected another student for the junior class, not a pitcher for the varsity baseball team.

Westfall decided to enroll on campus to receive a Christian education and the opportunity to play ball.

“My first day at school was a day that I was very excited about and had been looking forward to,” Westfall said. “I was really surprised to see how welcoming everyone at school was. This has made it easy to fit in. The kids are pretty nice for the most part.”

While he has participated in a variety of sports, Westfall’s loyalties lie with baseball. The pitcher, shortstop and outfielder’s roots go all the way back to when he was four years old and playing for the Astros baseball team of the Lions Little League in Fresno.

“My fondest memory of little league was when I hit a home run to center-field as a 7-year-old,” Westfall said. “I was so confident that I felt I could hit another one my next time up.”

He earned Lions Little League all-star tournament MVP honors as a 12-year old. Not only did his team win the elite tournament, but Westfall also hit a grand slam, to be named MVP honors.

Though he plays over 10 hours of baseball per week, Westfall still finds time to study and carries a 3.75 GPA.

“Academics are important for your future life,” Westfall said. “Without the grades, it is impossible to get into a good college. If you work hard in school, you can succeed.”

After graduating in the spring of ’09, Westfall plans on attending either the University of Florida (his favorite team since childhood), or Fresno State.

According to first-year head coach Rich Sorenson, Westfall has become one of the most consistent players on the team, due to his work ethic.

“What really makes Mathias special is his work ethic,” Sorenson said. “The kid comes to practice everyday, not saying a whole lot, but he comes to work. He’s the kind of player that we want in this program: humble, hard-working, team-oriented player that puts team ahead of individual.”

Teammate Riley Endicott, ’10, believes Westfall’s blend of skills that make him a key to the Eagles early success.

“He is a very versatile player and contributes greatly to our success,” Endicott said. “He is not only an ace on the mound, but also provides depth at shortstop and in the outfield.”

Westfall seems to continue improvement as a pitcher. In one of his best pitching performance of the year so far, Westfall threw three scoreless innings, giving up zero hits and walking only two in a 15-0 win against Tranquillity, March 1.

“Our coaching staff feel comfortable enough to announce Mathias as the number one pitcher on our staff,” Sorenson said. “He will be a tremendous asset for the team this year and next. We are very lucky to have a player like Mathias.”

The Eagles will next host the Firebaugh Eagles, March 28. For more information check out the Baseball sport shorts, 2008.