The U's best pitcher is also their best hitter

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Gopher baseball player Matt Fiedler has really stepped up to the plate this season, and the mound too for that matter.

The Gophers junior is Minnesota’s top pitcher with seven wins on the season. He also happens to be Minnesota’s best hitter, batting an impressive .404 with a team-high 11 stolen bases going into this weekend’s series at Purdue.

“I just try to not worry about the numbers, they will take care of themselves,” Fiedler said. “I just go out there and help the team win in whatever aspect I can.”

“It just shows you how strong he is mentally and emotionally, and how he’s been able to stay focused on doing his thing,” Gophers head coach John Anderson said. “He’s been pretty good at doing his thing!”

Fiedler’s impact is one that is felt across the board, but the Gophers star says that his team is a valuable asset to his individual success.

“The team rubbed off on me,” Fiedler said. “I feel relaxed out there and I feel comfortable that if I have a bad day, one of my teammates in front of me or behind me is going to have a great one.”

Matt is a top finalist for college baseball’s “John Olerud Award” given to the best two-way player of the season. Fielder says it would be an honor to win the award, but winning games is his biggest focus.

“It’s all about what I can do in these next final weeks for this team,” Fiedler said. “That’s what is most important to me.”