Feb. 10, 2012
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By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A lot has happened in nearly two years since UCF redshirt junior LHP Chris Matulis (Boyton Beach, Fla.) took to the mound. From transferring schools, undergoing Tommy John surgery to being selected in the 29th round by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2011 MLB draft, all Matulis wants to do now is pitch.
"I haven't pitched in a real game in almost two years," Matulis said after practice Wednesday. "I've been counting down the days and can't wait to pitch. Wherever I am, in the rotation or the bullpen, it doesn't matter to me. I just want to get out there."
Matulis, a 6-foot-6 southpaw, first arrived in Orlando during the summer of 2010 after attending LSU for two years. He amassed an 11-5 record with the Tigers while logging 15 starts. When he decided to transfer out of Baton Rouge, UCF head coach Terry Rooney was one of the first to reach out to his former recruit.
"Coach Rooney recruited me out of high school. We had a good relationship then, and once I decided I wanted to transfer, he was one of the first to contact me," the former Park Vista High School standout said. "From then on I decided this was the place for me."
The same summer that Matulis decided to head back to the Sunshine State, he was set to head up to Cape Cod to pitch in one of the many summer leagues across the nation. Unfortunately, Matulis never was able to compete as doctors recommended Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.
Already having to sit out the season due to the NCAA transfer rules, Matulis used the year to gain a new perspective of the game from inside the dugout while working diligently on his rehab.
"Rehab was definitely tough, especially not being able to play and going into the season knowing that no matter what I did there was no chance I could pitch," Matulis said. "Every time I watched a game (from the dugout) it just kept me motivated. I couldn't stand not being out there seeing everyone having fun playing the game. Seeing them work hard made me want to work harder so that I could be the best I could be when I came back."
Matulis' work ethic is one that he hopes some of the younger arms on the pitching staff have picked up on. Although he hasn't pitched yet in a UCF uniform, Matulis brings postseason experience that the No. 21 Knights need after making it back to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in seven seasons in 2011.
"I try and talk to some of the younger guys just as far as physical stuff pitching wise, but a lot of it is mentally just being able to slow the game down and not let it get too fast," said Matulis, a member of the 2009 national champion Tigers. "The jump from high school to college is a big adjustment and (my experience of) going through it with the ups and downs will help them out if they struggle. I've been there before and they can come back from it."
Matulis' experience on the mound should be something the Knights lean on in 2012 as they embark on a 56-game schedule that has them taking on four nationally ranked preseason opponents.
With 38 home games on the slate, and a newly renovated ball park featuring 1,100 brand new bench-back seats, Matulis is excited for the opportunity to pitch in front of rowdy crowds whenever he takes the mound.
"I've been fortunate to go to two programs and pitch in two new stadiums," Matulis noted. "It will be my first time pitching (here) so I am excited to get out there in front of the fans in the new stadium."
Opening Knight on Friday, Feb. 17, against Long Island is FREE for all who come out to the UCF baseball complex. Season tickets and other various packages are available by calling the UCF Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000 or by logging on to UCFAthletics.com.