PITTSBURGH – Isaac Mattson needed only one word to describe his summer.
(Photo courtesy of Pitt Athletics)
“Incredible,” the rising junior pitcher exclaimed, when asked about his time spent pitching in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
This past week Mattson tossed a scoreless fourth inning in the prestigious 2016 Friendly’s Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game, representing his summer team the Chatham Anglers. He picked up one strikeout and threw an efficient 14 pitches – 11 for strikes. His East squad fell 8-0 in the contest, but the experience was what mattered most for the standout reliever.
“It was amazing,” he said. “There were over 7,000 fans at the game. Getting to talk to all of the fans and the kids was one of the coolest things ever. Being on a team with the best of the best from around the country was a really cool experience to share with them.”
Mattson was thrilled to be chosen for the game. He learned about his selection at the end of an MLB scouting bureau meeting, and felt instant gratification.
“A big smile came across my face. To be selected as an all-star in a league like this with so many talented guys is such a huge honor. I couldn’t stop smiling for about 30 minutes.”
When considering where to play his summer baseball, Mattson received helpful advice from former Chatham Anglers standout and Pitt teammate T.J. Zeuch, the Toronto Blue Jays first round draft choice in the 2016 MLB First Year Player’s Draft.
“T.J. pitched last year and said a lot of good things about Chatham. I wanted to jump on the opportunity to learn every day. When you’re in a League and All-Star Game with guys this talented from schools like LSU and Mississippi State, you’re able to pick their brains.”
One thing that stuck out to him was an Instragam post Zeuch made last summer that was captioned “best summer ever.” It was a picture of him playing for Chatham.
“That was the first memory I had of him playing for Chatham. He said it’s a great league and an incredible town, and that being able to get with the guys who are equally as driven to be successful in baseball is an experience you can’t pass up.”
Zeuch made four starts in the Cape Cod League for Chatham last summer, posting a 1.31 ERA and turning the heads of scouts in the process. Mattson is hopeful to do the same.
The All-Star game was comprised of 25 of the best players in the Cape Cod League and Mattson was one of only nine pitchers selected to play for the East team.
“I’m just thankful that I was able to represent Chatham and Pitt on such a big stage,” he added. “All of the memories I had playing baseball as a kid went through my head leading up to the game, and it was incredible seeing the progress I’ve made.”
Mattson’s selection was certainly merited. This summer he has only allowed four earned runs in 21.2 innings of relief for the Anglers. He has a remarkable strikeout ratio of six to one, and has notched two wins and a save. He acknowledges his command of the strike zone as a big reason for his success.
“Recently I’ve been using my changeup more as a strikeout pitch, but pounding the zone has been the key. I’m not a guy that tries to get fancy with too many things, I just try and throw as many strikes as possible and make the hitters earn it.”
The Harbor Creek, Pa., native has been making batters earn it at Pitt in his first two years. He has fanned 68 batters in his 64.2 career innings of work as a Panther, allowing just 28 earned runs. In 2016, he struck out 31, while only giving up 33 hits and walking five. He is looking forward to the upcoming season, and plans to take on more of a leadership role.
“Being an upperclassman, guys will look at you with a little more weight. I didn’t speak up a whole lot my freshman year, it was a lot more about letting my actions show the type of leader I was.”
He plans on taking a different approach as a now veteran member of the Panthers bullpen.
“This year I’m going to take more of a vocal role. My actions won’t change at all, I will continue to work hard, but I will definitely be speaking up in team events and around the huddle pregame. I’m looking forward to a great season.”
Mattson will look to carry his success from the summer into the upcoming Pitt baseball season as Pitt continues to make strides in the nation’s premier baseball conference.
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