Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

At first glance, Matt Connors isn’t going to intimidate anyone. The Rutgers-Newark freshman weighs about 150 pounds and stands about 5-foot-5.

“Maybe 5-6 on a good day,” Connors laughs.

But the second baseman never lets his size deter him from being a standout baseball player.

“I guess people keep underestimating me,” Connors said. “I’m not going up there to try to smack a home run. I know that’s not me. I know what I can and can’t do.”

When Connors enrolled at R-N and joined the baseball program, he didn’t think he would get a chance to play much right away. After all, Connors was just a freshman and rookies usually have to bide their time and wait their turn, especially in college baseball.

“I had mixed emotions about playing in college,” Connors said. “I didn’t see the best pitching in high school, so I had no idea how I would do. I didn’t think I’d start right away. I thought I would just get some playing time and see if I could show people I could play.”

But Connors came to the Scarlet Raider program with a solid reputation of being a baseball player in the purest sense. At Hasbrouck Heights High School, where he played with fellow Scarlet Raider Anthony Yeswita, Connors was known for his ability to do all the little things necessary _ put the ball in play, bunt, run, play solid defense.

“I spoke with (Lyndhurst High School baseball coach and athletic director) Butch Servideo,” Rutgers-Newark head baseball coach Mark Rizzi said. “And he said that Matt Connors was just born to be a leadoff hitter. That’s the truth. Matt plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. People don’t appreciate what he does until he’s playing for you.”

It’s safe to say that Rizzi appreciates Connors and what he does. The coach inserted Connors at the top of the Scarlet Raider lineup from the start of the season and he’s remained there in every single game.

“He doesn’t try to do anything extra or anything fancy,” Rizzi said. “He knows his capabilities and just does the same thing every day. He’s incredible. It’s very hard to believe that a freshman could play so well right away. He plays every inning of every game and works so hard. After the game is over, you see all he’s done and you’re amazed. I don’t know the word for it, but as well as he’s playing, it is amazing.”
Connors is batting an astounding .385 with 38 runs scored and 16 runs batted in. In 30 games, Connors has collected 52 hits.

“I never could have imagined doing this,” Connors said. “I thought if I was lucky, I could hit .300. But right now, I’m way above that. It’s a great feeling. I’m just thankful for the chance to play every day.”

Among Connors’ 52 hits are an assortment of bunt hits and infield hits. It’s all part of his game, his mantra, his makeup.

“I like being considered a ‘throwback,’” Connors said. “I don’t wear batting gloves. I’ve been called scrappy and I like that. I have the crazy knack of collecting bunt singles. I love doing it and I think everyone on the bench loves it, too. To me, there’s no bigger thrill than beating out an infield hit. If I hit the ball on the ground, I have a shot to beat it out.”

Connors is not only a huge offensive threat. He’s also played flawlessly at second base, making just three errors in over 100 chances thus far.

“I actually like playing defense a lot more than hitting,” Connors said. “There’s nothing better than making a great defensive play. As long as it’s all about helping the team win. I really feel defense is my strong point.”

Rizzi can’t comprehend the impact that Connors has made on the Scarlet Raider program, especially as a freshman.

“It’s just not supposed to happen this way for a freshman,” Rizzi said. “Matt is playing the same way he did when he was in high school. It’s amazing. There’s been very little adjustment for him from high school. He hits the same way, hitting close to .400. It’s fantastic. He’s still finding holes, finding ways to get on base. He’s a major reason why we’re winning games this season.

Added Rizzi, “His whole attitude and approach to the game is perfect. He doesn’t say a thing. He just comes to play. He’s really been a godsend. I really thought there would be some sort of an adjustment period, but there hasn’t been. He’s been incredible.”

The good news is that Connors is just a freshman. So is fellow infielder Patrick Reitemeyer, the Scarlet Raiders’ starting shortstop. The two will be the R-N double play combination for the next three years.

“I was thrilled when we started together,” Connors said. “Patrick was my rival in high school (playing for BCSL National rival St. Mary’s of Rutherford), so we never talked. But now, we have something special going together and will be playing together for three more years. It’s very exciting and I’m very happy about that.”

In fact, there isn’t much that Matt Connors isn’t happy about these days.

“I’m just doing the things I’ve done my whole life,” Connors said.

Which is good enough for the Scarlet Raider baseball program. Matt Connors is proof that the little man can succeed in a big man’s game.