Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Sports

Once a promising freshman, Matt Means battled back from injuries to become the ace of the Seawolves staff in 2008. [Click to enlarge]

When Mountain View High School lost a superstar on their varsity baseball team, SSU gained a superstar on their starting staff with the arrival of Matt Means. After five diligent years of hard work in the already established Seawolves baseball program, Means, a fifth year senior, has made an impact that won't soon be forgotten.
Starting at an early age, Means has worked hard his entire life to get to this point in his college career as a successful baseball player.
"I always wanted to play baseball at the collegiate level," said Means. "SSU was one of the schools that I felt that I could fit right in and be a part of the program." Means' first year with the program was initially intimidating with so many older players on the team. It wasn't long, however, before he overcame that obstacle by impressing his coaches and teammates.
The journey Means has made up to this point has not been an easy one. He was one of only two freshmen to receive significant playing time as the Seawolves ran roughshod over their competition.
He added to a pitching staff headlined by current Florida Marlin Dan Barone and Giants' farmhand Darren Sack. The Seawolves finished the season strong and saw a promising future in the young Matt Means.
During his sophomore year, Means hit a speed bump. He was plagued by an injury to his arm that required surgery and months of rehabilitation. The injury proved frustrating as Means baseball future with the Seawolves was put in jeopardy.
"The year after I got hurt, I just tried to focus on getting back to baseball shape," said Means. "Surgery helped me out a lot, it got me back to the basics and I think it made me better as a pitcher." Fortunately for him, the surgery and his "back-to-basics attitude" helped Means start off fresh as a pitcher, pushing him to revitalize his spot in the Seawolves starting rotation.
For the 2008 season, Means leads the team with three wins in five starts. He has tallied 17 strikeouts and hasn't let a single runner cross the plate. His impressive numbers have been a key component in the baseball team's incredible 17-1 record. Enjoying life outside of baseball is owed to his friends and family. They have not only supported him off the field, but also have helped him reach this point in his baseball career at SSU.

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