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Matt Riffee

 Senior RHP , Third Base, Shortstop, First Base and Second Base

 

Returning Player Profile

 

 

Height: 6' 0"    Weight: 175      Throws: Right    

Bats: Right         GPA: 4.0

Colleges Interested in attending: Will attend Harvard and play baseball for the Crimson.

School and Academic Recognition: Madison HS Valedictorian, National Honor Society, Math and Spanish Honor Societies,  All-A and Athletic  Honor Rolls, Varsity Baseball and Academic Letters, James Madison HS's 2003-2004 nominee for the Wendy's National High School  Heisman Award,   Two-time First Team All-District, First Team All-Region, State All-star, MVP of Virginia State All-star Game

Matt began playing baseball in Texas including playing on travel teams that played in national tournaments at a young age.  He played youth baseball in Vienna after moving to Virginia, leading his teams to several championships as an all-star.  Matt has played travel baseball and Old Dominion League Baseball for the Vienna Mustangs. He batted .641 with a home run and seven RBI's  and pitched a one-hitter with eight strikeouts in the National High School Championship Tourney in Louisville, KY.  Last fall, Matt played for the Maryland Oriolelanders College-Showcase team sponsored by the Baltimore Orioles.

At Madison, Matt captained the JV team as a freshman and was promoted to Varsity  during his freshman season.   He was a member of the 2002 Varsity State Championship team as a sophomore, closing the undefeated regular season on the mound at Lee.  As a junior, Matt out dueled  heralded pitchers from Langley and Oakton in Madison victories. Matt was the winning pitcher, throwing a three hitter in the Liberty District Championship game.  He also was the winning pitcher in the game that advanced Madison to the State Tournament and Regional Championship Game while also hitting 3 for 4.  Matt's two-run single was the game winning hit in the State Quarterfinal win over Hermitage of Richmond to advance the Warhawks back to the Final Four of Virginia.  Matt was first team All- Liberty District and Honorable Mention -All Region  as a junior. He returns as one of the top players in Northern Virginia.

 

Matt's thoughts on the Season: "Our experience and hard work in the off-season will pay off again."

Coach Gjormand on Matt: "Matt, a four-year varsity letterman, is everything that I want in a player. He has all the tools necessary to be successful on the baseball field and in life. Matt has committed to play baseball for Harvard next year. After showing  great persistence in over coming a  season ending injury his sophomore season, Matt responded with an all conference year his junior year at the plate, in the field and on the mound where he was 6 - 1.  He took the ball to the mound in many big games for us including the conference championship against Langley and the game that qualified the Warhawks for the State Tournament. Matt's work ethic, character and leadership skills should lead him to what should be an unbelievable senior season.  Matt will serve as our workhorse on the mound, leading a young but deep and talented pitching staff. He will be one of the key pieces to our puzzle in '04."

2004 Post Season Update: In 2004 Matt was First Team All-District, First Team All-Region, State All-Star, MVP of the 2004 Virginia State All-Star Game, First Team All-Northern Virginia Journal (The Examiner), and Honorable Mention Washington Post All-Met, Madison's Wendy's High School Heisman Nominee, Named to The All-Madison Team, Named Madison's Top Male Scholar Athlete and was a Valedictorian of Madison High School.