Matt Hand

Photo by: Lisa Stamford

Photo by: Justin Lafleur

Photo by: Josh Liddick

Position:
SS/RHP
Height:
5-11
Weight:
null
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Newtown, Pa.
Major:
Accounting

WHY LEHIGH? I chose Lehigh because of the outstanding combination of academics and athletics that the institution offers.

ON COACH LEARY: Coach Leary is a very experienced coach who unifies the team and teaches us valuable lessons on and off the field.

2020 (SENIOR SEASON)
As the team's starting shortstop, made 14 starts in 14 appearances before the season ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic...went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in a victory at Richmond (2/23)...went 2-for-4 with a double in a victory over CCSU (2/29)...walked twice with an RBI and two runs scored in a victory at NC A&T (3/6), followed up by a 2-for-5 day with a walk and an RBI over NC A&T (3/7)...ended season and career by going 2-for-4 with an RBI at Fairleigh Dickinson (3/10)...made 31 putouts with 44 assists in 83 chances in the field...named the team's Scholar Athlete of the Year award winner...named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.

2019 (JUNIOR SEASON)
Strong junior campaign as team's starting shortstop, making 45 starts in 46 appearances...finished fifth out of qualifying players in batting (.262) and was fourth on the team in doubles (10) and walks (24). Was also tied for the team-lead in hit by pitches (13)...His .404 on-base percentage ranked third on the team and had four stolen bases in four attempts...tallied 66 putouts with 124 assists on 200 chances at short for a fielding percentage of .950 on the year...made seven relief appearances on the mount, going 2-1 with a 4.63 ERA in 11.2 innings. Struck out nine batters...Highlight game of season was 3-for-5 day with a double, a walk, three runs scored and five RBIs in a 20-15 victory over Saint Joseph's (4/3). Also picked up the victory in relief.

2018 (SOPHOMORE SEASON)
Saw action in 44 games, including 34 starts at third base and nine relief appearances on the mound…ranked third on the team in doubles (7) and improved all his offensive numbers from his rookie season…hit two doubles, drove in a season-high three RBI and scored two runs in a 2-for-3 performance against Saint Peter’s (3/28)…scored a season-high four runs in a 2-for-4 performance at Saint Peter’s (5/2)…ranked second on the team in saves (2)…tossed five scoreless outings…compiled a season-high four strikeouts in 1.2 innings of work against Holy Cross (3/31)…named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.

2017 (FRESHMAN SEASON)
Worked his into a starting role at second base and proved to be a valuable piece out of the bullpen…played in 35 games, including all 20 Patriot League contests, with 18 total starts at second as he compiled a .988 fielding percentage…his 12 appearances on the mound were third-most on the team…his 30.2 innings pitches was second-most among Lehigh relievers and fifth-most overall on the team…earned his first-career victory against Lafayette (4/23) as he pitched 5.1 innings in relief, surrendering just one run on five hits with a season-high five strikeouts and just one walk…named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.

CAREER STATISTICS
BATTING

	G-GS	AVG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SLG%	OB%	SB
2017	35-18	.146	48	2	7	0	0	0	3	5	.146	.255	3
2018	44-34	.221	104	13	23	7	0	0	10	5	.288	.270	2
2019	46-45	.262	149	31	39	10	1	3	24	24	.403	.404	4
2020	14-14	.184	49	4	9	2	0	0	6	3	.224	.259	0
TOTAL	139-111	.223	350	50	78	19	1	3	43	37	.309	.328	9

PITCHING

	W-L	SV	ERA	APP	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
2017	1-1	1	4.70	12	0	0	30.2	28	16	16	6	22
2018	0-0	2	4.15	9	0	0	17.1	17	8	8	5	12
2019	2-1	0	4.63	7	0	0	11.2	15	6	6	6	9
2020	0-0	0	0.00	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	3-2	3	4.53	28	0	0	59.2	60	30	30	17	43

BEFORE LEHIGH
A three-time All-League right-handed pitcher and shortstop out of Council Rock North High School, Hand earned a number of honors after putting together an impressive senior season. Hand was named first team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Bucks County Player of the Year and second team All-USA Pennsylvania after going 11-0 on the mound with a 1.42 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 64 innings during his senior season. Doubling at shortstop, Hand also batted .313 during his senior campaign to help lead Council Rock North to its second-straight PIAA AAAA State Quarterfinals appearance. Hand was named a 2016 Preseason Atlantic Region Honorable Mention All-American by Perfect Game and was a member of the 2015 Carpenter Cup Championship team. Strong off the diamond as well, Hand was a member of the National Honor Society who secured a 4.3 GPA throughout high school.

GETTING TO KNOW MATT
Nickname: Sticks
Favorite thing about Lehigh: Academics, baseball and the campus
Major and why: Finance, because it has always interested me since I was a little kid
Favorite place on campus: The baseball field
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite color: Orange
Favorite musical artist: Tory Lanez
Favorite movie: Miracle
Favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights
Favorite website: espn.com
Favorite pro team: Boston Red Sox
Favorite athlete in another sport: Tom Brady
Celebrity you would most like to meet: Kevin Hart
Hobbies: Golf and basketball
Magazine cover I’d like to be on: Sports Illustrated
Place I’d like to visit: Hawaii
Talent I’d like to have: Ability to read minds
Dream job: Professional baseball player
If I didn’t play baseball, I would play: Basketball
If I had $1 billion, I would: Make sure that my family and I live a happy and healthy life