Senior baseball standout commits to play Division I baseball
Senior Matt Waldron throws to first base to get an out for the Westside baseball team in its 7-3 victory over Creighton Prep in the 2014 spring state championship May 22. Waldron signed to Nebraska Nov. 19. Photo by Aren Rendell
For the Westside baseball team, senior Matt Waldron has been an ace on the mound, a standout shortstop and a lethal hitter. Yesterday, Nov. 19, Waldron signed with Nebraska to bring his talents to Lincoln and into Division I baseball.
“All my life, I was raised a Husker fan, and was more than happy when I realized they were going to offer me,” Waldron said.
Waldron, an integral part of Westside and KB Building Services successes in 2014, has a chance to contribute for the Huskers immediately as a pitcher.
“I’m definitely hoping [I’ll play next year],” Waldron said. “I know they said I would have the opportunity to, and I will be working hard over the summer and do the best I can to help get to where I need to be next year.”
Waldron will bring his calm demeanor, which earned him the nickname MattyIce, to the mound for the Huskers, who went 42-21 last season and made it to the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game.
“…[I am] pretty grateful that I got the opportunity that I did and couldn’t pass the offer up,” Waldron said about the chance to join the Huskers. “It is really nice being able to play for my home state.”
The Huskers have shown interest in Waldron, whose surgeon-like precision and 90-mile-per-hour fastball make him a lethal pitcher, since his sophomore year. Now, after signing, he will get to join former teammate and Westside Class of 2014 alum Jake Meyers, who was an ace and lethal hitter for the Warriors during his time at Westside, in Lincoln.
“[Jake] really is just a fun kid to play with and will really help motivate me on the field,” Waldron said. “He actually showed me around at the campus and [I] got to spend a weekend with him. He loves it and says that it really is a great place to help players mature on and off the field.”
For the 2015 spring and summer baseball season, Waldron will be one of the players to watch. A near-undefeated record on the mound and a hitting average over .400 can be expected from the senior, who will, once again, be critical to the Warriors’ success.
Waldron’s twin brother, Mike, is also getting looks from Nebraska. Mike could sign for Nebraska in the spring, according to Matt.
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