Matt Lea

Height:
6-5
Weight:
210
Class:
Redshirt Senior
Hometown:
Collierville, Tenn.
Prev School:
Mississippi State

2009: Finished the season with a 1-0 record in 11 appearances. Had 27 strikeouts in 23.1 innings of work for the Cards. Pitched 1.0 inning of scoreless relief with a strikeout against Ohio State on May 5. Gave the Cards 1.0 inning of scoreless relief on April 28 at UK. Allowed five runs on three hits in 1.1 innings at IU on April 21. Pitched 1.1 innings of relief at Cincinnati on April 4 allowing four earned runs on just one hit with two walks and two HBP's. Gave the Cards 1.2 innings of relief at Seton Hall on March 28 allowing one run on one hit with three strikeouts. Pitched 2.0 innings of relief on March 22 against Georgetown allowing two runs on two hits with season-high four strikeouts. Came out of the bullpen for 3.1 innings of two-hit, scoreless relief against Iowa on March 15. Suffered worse outing of the season on March 7 against Milwaukee after allowing six runs on six hits in only 2.0 innings. Put together a solid start on Feb. 28 against Bowling Green as he pitched 5.0 innings allowing only two earned runs on three hits and striking out three en route to a no-decision. Was solid in his first appearance of the season, giving up two runs (only one earned) and four hits in 4.1 innings as the starter against Florida on Feb. 22.

2008: Enjoyed a fantastic first season with the Cardinals, posting a 5-0 record with a 2.72 ERA in 16 appearances that covered 36.1 innings. Opponents hit just .237 against him, striking out 33. Improved to 5-0 on the season, guiding the Cards to a 12-3 win over Seton Hall in the first round of the 2008 BIG EAST Championship, allowing one run in a season-high 5.2 innings. Did not figure into the decision, but tossed five solid frames in win over Ball State on May 13. Earned his fourth win of the season with five strong innings against Butler, allowing a run on four hits. Tossed a brilliant five shutout innings of one-hit baseball, striking out a career-best eight in win over Morehead on April 29. Picked up the win over UK on April 22 with two perfect innings out of the bullpen, setting up the dramatic ninth. After a leadoff single, he struck out the next three to seal the win over Villanova on April 19. Tossed a hitless frame in win over Purdue on April 2. Twirled two scoreless innings in win over Butler on March 26. Picked up the win over UConn with a scoreless inning out of the pen on March 21. Allowed one unearned run in three strong innings out of the pen in win over Kent on March 15, striking out three.

Mississippi State: Utilized a medical redshirt in 2007 season rehabilitating his injured arm. Was named to Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Team compiled by Collegiate Baseball newspaper his first season of college ball, posting a 5-1 record to go with a 2.01 ERA in seven starts. Fanned 26 in 40.1 IP and opponents hit just .206 against him to lead the team. Earned wins in his first five starts including Louisiana-Monroe twice, at Jacksonville State, against UAB and Birmingham-Southern. His best performance of the season was his only blemish on the season, against Ole Miss in which he surrendered one run on four hits and three walks while striking out a season-best six in a season-long eight innings. Also a member of the 2006 SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll.

High School: Named AFLAC All-American his senior season at Houston High School where his complete game in the state finals gave the Mustangs the 2005 Tennessee Class 3A state championship. Posted a 7-2 record with a 2.55 ERA, striking out 65 in 66.0 innings of work on his way to All-State honors. Also played first, batting .366 with three home runs and 26 RBI. Named to the Memphis Commercial Appeal's 2005 All-Metro Team and a finalist for the CA's "Best of the Preps" baseball award. Did not play his junior season after he transferred from Evangelical Christian School, where he was an All-Metro Team pick his sophomore campaign. Lettered twice in basketball at ECS, earning All-District honors.

Personal: Born 1/29/86 in Memphis to Charles and Louise. His father starred at the University of Memphis and later enjoyed a lengthy career in the big leagues with the Twins and Expos and is his biggest influence on his athletic career. Is a finance major. Likes sports, hunting and fishing in his spare time. Bull Durham and Caddyshack are his favorite movies and he likes to watch Entourage and Seinfeld on TV. His favorite athletes are Chris Carpenter and Rick Ankiel. Cheers for the St. Louis Cardinals, Grizzlies and Titans and likes to dine at P.F. Chang's. Listens to rock and pop. Would like to play a round of golf with Bill Murray, Vince Vaughn and Chevy Chase. The best athlete he ever faced is when he went up against Cameron Maybin in summer ball during high school.