#41 Merrick Mathews Season 2023-24

2024

• Played in nine games, starting one.
• Batted .300 with three hits in 10 at-bats.
• Had a season-high outing at the plate against Jacksonville State on March 9th with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
• 1.000 fielding percentage with nine putouts.

 2023 at IHCC

• Appeared in 52 of a possible 55 games as a sophomore for the Warriors.
• 2023 NJCAA All-Region 11 Honorable Mention selection.
• Posted a .285 batting averaged and a .415 on-base percentage.
• Led the team with 39 RBI on the year.
• Collected 47 hits on the year, including 12 extra base knocks.
• Scored 36 runs.
• Posted 13 multi-hit games on the year.
• Collected a hit in 12 of the team’s first 14 games of the year, batting .419 during the stretch.
• Recorded a five-game hit streak or better on four separate occasions on the year.
• Went 2-4 vs. South Suburban in the NJCAA Midwest District Tournament (5/18).
• Named to the 2022-23 NJCAA All-Academic Second-Team (3.8-3.99 GPA).
• Named to the 2023 ICCAC Spring All-Academic First-Team (3.5-4.0 GPA).
• Named to the 2022 Fall ICCAC All-Academic First-Team (3.5-4.0 GPA).
• Member of the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year.

2022 at IHCC

• Appeared in 27 games for the Warriors as a true freshman.
• Recorded 20 hits on the year, including three extra base knocks.
• Recorded five multi-hit games on the year.
• Drove in 11 runs while scoring 15 times.
• First-career hit came against #6 Cowley on 3/4.
• Went 2-5 with two RBI and two runs in a 14-9 win over #6 Cowley on 3/5.
• Scored three runs in a 13-3 win over Marshalltown on 3/26.
• Career-high three hits came in a 13-1 over Southwestern on 4/19.
• Named to the 2022 Spring ICCAC All-Academic First-Team (3.5-4.0 GPA).
• Named to the 2021 Fall ICCAC All-Academic First-Team (3.5-4.0 GPA).
• Member of the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year.

High School

• Named the KOTM-FM Athlete of the Week during senior season.
• Led team to state tournament and finished runner-up in 2021 state tournament.
• Also a member of the football, basketball, golf, and track & field programs.

Personal

• Born October 20, 2002.
• Son of Amanda Mathews and Jonathan and Rachel Matthews.
• Has one sibling, Claire, who plays softball at Indian Hills CC.
• Grandfather Rick Mathews played baseball at Indian Hills CC (1966-67), coached baseball at Indian Hills CC (1987-92), and is currently a pro scout with the Colorado Rockies
• Father Jonathan was a member of the Indian Hills CC Baseball team that reached the JUCO World Series in 1992 and coached baseball at Indian Hills CC (2000-11), currently works for the San Diego Padres.
• Mother Amanda ran track at Simpson College.