His jersey reads No. 1, which is exactly what he’d consider himself to be. At 6 foot 2, and weighing in at 185 pounds, meet Matt Sturges, left-hand pitcher for City College’s baseball team.
“I’ve played baseball ever since I can remember. Probably since I was like 8,” says Sturges. “My dad was a coach and my brother played at City, too.”
His experience ranges from playing countless years of Little League through Cosumnes River College to playing at Laguna Creek High School. According to Sturges, his work earned him the title of a three-time, all-league selection.
At 20 years old and in his sophomore year of college, Sturges has been a scholar-athlete for each semester he’s attended City College and obtained a JC academic letter, which Sturges considers a personal accomplishment because he chose to attend City College based on his interest in playing baseball.
“Sturges never takes a day off,” says fellow teammate and right-handed pitcher Bo Henning.
Though his future plans with baseball are uncertain, Sturges says he will always love the game.
According to Sturges, baseball has kept him on track academically, and he hopes to transfer soon to another local college. Although he has a lot of sports experience in his background, Sturges says he wants to major in criminal justice. His team admires his dedication.
“He brings positive energy to the team,” says teammate and infielder Sam Hedrick.
Sturges says he thoroughly appreciates the camaraderie on the team and especially enjoys spending time with Cole Brocker and Patrick Armstrong, who have become two of his closest friends thanks to baseball.
“Sturges keeps us loose,” says Brocker, a right-handed pitcher.
Sturges’ career as a player is one he will always be able to look back on with fond memories.
