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A pitch for a permanent spot in the rotation

By NANCY MORGAN, Times Sports Correspondent
Published August 12, 2007

Right-handed pitcher Matt Low Countryside/Daytona Beach CC resolves to earn a regular spot on Stetson's mound this season.

Working toward his goal of being named a main reliever or starter, Low completed his third summer of baseball with the St. Pete Roughriders last month. The collegiate league afforded opportunities to work on pitches and solidify his mechanics, said the 21-year-old.

"We report to school later this month and will begin working out," Low said. "We don't have a fall league in D-I, so we'll play some intrasquad games. This fall, I just want to show the coaches that I can compete with my teammates to earn a spot. ...

"Last year, I was considered more of a reliever, but that can change each year. I would really like to be a starter."

After two seasons at Daytona Beach CC, where Low helped the Falcons to back-to-back Mid-Florida Conference championships, Low signed on with the Hatters last year and was red-shirted, which suits him fine with his plans to work on a master's degree after he earns his accounting degree this year.

"I'm more of a sinker-slider pitcher with a two-seam fastball," Low said. "The pitch cuts into a right-handed hitter and they hit a lot of groundballs and that sets up a lot of double plays."

Low's first experience in baseball came as a 4-year-old in Tampa's Town 'n Country Little League. Though he played other sports such as soccer, football and basketball, baseball was his mainstay. At Countryside, Low played basketball and baseball his sophomore year, but after that it was only baseball.

"Matt is a terrific example of the type of person we want to represent our program," said Tim Touma, Daytona Beach CC's coach. "Matt had some big wins for us, especially his second year and was in our pitching rotation that led to two conference championships.

"He has good action on his fastball and a natural good sinker. What stood out to me the most was Matt's natural ability and his desire to work hard."

Low's commitment to his personal pitching goals plays directly into his team goals of winning conference and the regional.

"With Matt being a big, athletic right-hander, we're certainly hoping he'll make a big jump and step in for us this year," said Garrett Quinn, Stetson's pitching coach. "Being tall presents a definite advantage on the mound with hitters having less time to react to his pitches since he's closer to the plate.

"Last year he had no time on the mound, which is pretty normal making the adjustment and transition from Daytona Beach Community College. This year will be different."

Low would consider playing professionally if drafted and hopes his 6-foot, 8-inch frame will be an asset, along with his ability to move the ball around the plate. The addition of some strength and a 1-2 mph increase on his fastball, he said, will add to his draft prospect.

MORE BASEBALL: High Point senior Bill Manion (East Lake/Central Florida CC) was the team's third-leading hitter with a .327 average and third in RBIs with 30. The outfielder's on-base percentage was .459.

SOFTBALL: Junior pitcher Jess Byrn (Countryside) hurled a two-hit shutout for Babson against Clark University in a New England Athletic Conference Tournament this spring. Byrn has collected a career 1.45 ERA and is averaging .277 at the plate for the Beavers.

SOCCER: Columbia midfielders Drew Ford (St. Petersburg) and Dunedin's Demitri Arnaoutakis (Berkeley Prep) open their senior seasons with the Lions Aug. 31 at Virginia.

- Starting defender Reagin Riley (Seminole) was among the top five players in assists for Jacksonville as a freshman last year and scored one goal. The Jaguars open the season Aug. 24 in an exhibition game with FSU.

FOOTBALL: Ole Miss sophomore wide receiver/kick returner Dexter McCluster (Largo) is preparing for the Sept. 1 opener at Memphis. As a freshman, the 2005 Times' all-Suncoast Player of the Year collected 574 all-purpose yards for the Rebels before an injury sidelined him the second half of the season.

- Jacob Stein (Shorecrest) averaged 57 yards in kickoffs for Colgate last season and will assume placekicking duties when the Raiders host Albany Sept. 1 in their season-opener.

- Webber's fifth-year team includes wide receiver Derrell Houser (Clearwater/Edward Waters), defensive back Adam Blake (Clearwater) and linebacker Jarid Daniels (Clearwater). The Warriors open Aug. 25 at Bethel College, Tenn.

TRACK: UNF's Madeline Parhalo (Seminole/Florida) claimed a career-best time in the 800 meters with a sixth-place finish at the FSU Invitational. A career-best time of 5:12.10 was earned in the 1,500 meters in the USF Invite.

- Nathan Holden (Seminole) earned two top-10 finishes for UNF in the USF Invite in the 1,500 and 3,000 events. The junior finished fifth in the 5,000 in the FSU Invitational.

- Career-best times were collected by junior Lauren Vogel (Seminole) in the 3,000 and 5,000 in UNF's outdoor season.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified August 11, 2007, 21:16:33]