PHILIPPI, W.Va. – Matt Yurish has been named the head coach of the Alderson Broaddus University baseball team as announced by Athletic Director & Head Football Coach Dennis Creehan on Monday.
"Matt has been with us for three years now and has done an outstanding job," said Creehan. "He knows our system and how things work here at AB and the players enjoy playing for him. I believe Matt will continue to build the program and keep up the great tradition that has been started here at AB."
Yurish, who is a native of Hedgesville, W.Va., has been an assistant coach for the Battlers for the last three seasons.
"It's very exciting to be named head coach at AB, especially after the season that we just finished," said Yurish. "I'm very fortunate that Coach Creehan gave me this opportunity. We've had great success recently and I am going to work very hard to keep that going."
He is a 2008 graduate of West Virginia University as he was a four-year letterwinner for the Mountaineers. In four seasons at WVU, Yurish finished with a career record of 17-12 and a 4.40 ERA. During his senior year in 2008, he finished 6-2 and struck out 74 batters. For his career, Yurish compiled 247 strikeouts in 247.2 innings pitched.
During his final three seasons with the Mountaineers, he led the team in strikeouts each season while also leading the ball club with a 3.84 ERA during his junior season in 2007. Following his time at WVU, Yurish went on to play professionally for the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League.
He earned his Bachelor's Degree in sport and exercise psychology from WVU in 2008 and later added a Master's Degree in sports and fitness from the University of Central Florida.
In 2015, the Battlers finished with a 31-21 record and won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament after posting 4-0 record including two wins over top seeded Trevecca Nazarene. The Battlers advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history the following weekend as it closed its season out at the Midwest Regional at Quincy University.
"Having a majority of our players return gives us a great starting point for next season," said Yurish. "Those guys have been around and know what we will expect of them on the field and off of it."
The Battlers will return a majority of its position players and as a few starting pitchers to next year's team, which excites Yurish as he is set to begin his first season as manager.
"Being here for the past three seasons has allowed me to build relationships with our players," said Yurish. "I'm familiar with our personnel, our culture, and areas that we recruit. I think all of these factors will allow me to get off to a fast start."