VANCOUVER, British Columbia --- Biola University and the Eagles' baseball program are getting a man with a heart for helping others in Matthew Watson. A right-handed pitcher who is transfering to Biola from Concordia Portland, Watson has volunteered in ministry efforts for years and hopes to become a chaplain with the Canadian Armed Forces after he graduates from college. 

He's also showed he had the tools for being dependable in high-leverage situations at Concordia Portland, and the Eagles' coaching staff is excited to help him maximize that potential: 

"Matthew is a bright young player that has a high ceiling. I believe getting him into our program and with Coach Ben Cordy and Frank Ramirez respectively will help him on the pitching side and in the weight room," said Head Coach Jeff Calhoon. "He is a strong Christian and fits what we are trying to achieve in our program. Also He comes highly recommended from the coaching staff at Concordia Portland and we cannot wait for him to get to campus and begin training with us."

The Cavaliers turned to Watson regularly as a reliever in 2020, giving him six appearances over 17 games. But his best outing is worth special attention because it helped carry the Cavs to an extra-innings victory in what would be their final game at Porter Park. 

On March 1 against Saint Martin's, Watson relieved the starter in the top of the fifth, just after Concordia Portland had erased a 3-0 first-inning deficit and tied it at 4-4. The right-hander spun four scoreless innings and retired nine batters in a row from the sixth to the eighth inning to keep his team even and force extras in a series finale that was scheduled for seven innings. 

Watson threw 67 pitches and induced a lot of weak contact with nine flyouts in a victory that gave the Cavaliers a series victory over Saint Martin's and pushed them to a 3-1 start in GNAC play.  

Performances like that are no aberration for Watson, of course. He won British Columbia Premier Baseball League Provincial Championships in 2016 and 2017 with the North Shore Twins' junior and premier teams, pitching to a 4-0 record in 2017 with six saves in 37 innings. He was also named a team captain and MVP on those 2016 and 2017 teams. 

Away from the diamond, Watson's ministry involvement included volunteering at his church and serving as a student chaplain at Concordia Portland. He plans to major in history at Biola and is confident that the university will be a great environment to help him grow as a baseball player and follower of Jesus:

"After the announcement of my schools closure and researching schools I felt called to Biola and knew right away that it was my number one choice," said Watson. "I am excited about the opportunity to compete for one of the best baseball programs in the nation while further developing my academics and relationship with Christ."
 
Matthew Watson will join his new teammates in the coming fall semester as the Biola Boys prepare for their first real shot at an NCAA West Regional berth. More information on the incoming 2020-21 class that will join him at Biola can be found on the Committed Athletes page.