BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – He’s not overpowering in size and stature, but when
Matt Payton takes the field he knows how to make his presence felt. And as one of five seniors on the Hilltopper baseball team in 2010, he’ll be counted on to bring his experience to help shape the team.
This mentality suits him well.
“Matt was a little banged up at the end of last year but he absolutely fought his way through the end of the season,” Hilltopper assistant coach
Blake Allen said. “He had a great summer once he got himself healthy. He’s just a competitor.”
Payton played in 55 games for the Hilltoppers in 2009, hitting .307 mostly as the leadoff or number-two hitter. He reached base at a .404 clip and scored 49 runs, while also swiping seven bases in nine attempts.
He followed up the 2009 college season with an outstanding summer in the Coastal Plain League, which he will hope to build on heading into his senior season at WKU in 2010. Alongside WKU teammates
Logan Robbins and
Kes Carter, Payton helped the Peninsula Pilots to a 34-21 overall record and an appearance in the league championship series.
The Louisville, Ky., native’s offensive play is complemented by his solid defensive work in the middle infield, as Payton has made just 13 errors in 776 chances in his three seasons on the Hill. Having such a reliable glove up the middle is an asset to any baseball team.
“Defensively he’s as good as there is in the Sun Belt and probably in the country for a second baseman,” Allen said.
The Hilltoppers will be hoping for another season from Payton in 2010 like his last two, as the team tries to win a second-straight Sun Belt Conference championship and make it three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament.
“Ten About ‘10” Series Continues Tuesday: The “Ten About ‘10” feature series detailing for fans 10 aspects of the 2010 WKU Hilltopper baseball team will continue on Tuesday with item number two. A different element of the 2010 Hilltoppers will be highlighted each weekday, leading up to the start of the Fall World Series on Thursday. Item number one will be revealed on Wednesday. Keep checking the website each day to find out what’s ahead for the baseball team in 2010. If you missed any of the previous stories in the countdown, you can catch up by clicking on the links at the top of the page.
