Troy

For love of the game

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

Photo provided by Scott Berry Athens senior pitcher Matt Berry recently signed on to continue his baseball career with Concordia University in Ann Arbor.

Athens senior signs to continue baseball career with Concordia University

TROY — His stats don’t jump off the page.

His career on the varsity team is limited to just this season, and by his own admission, Mike Berry isn’t going to overpower any hitter he faces.

Still, the Troy Athens senior lefty, who spent his junior season on the junior varsity squad, couldn’t be more ecstatic right now. Baseball is the love of his life, and recently that love was given a four-year extension when he officially signed on to continue his career at


Concordia University in Ann Arbor next spring.

“It’s a dream come true,” Berry said last week. “I’ve always wanted to play college baseball, and Concordia is giving me that chance. I can’t wait for the opportunity.”

Berry laughed when asked why Concordia will be his destination next year.

“Well,” he chuckled, “they’re really the only school that showed any interest. With that said, though, I couldn’t be happier to be heading there. I love the campus, the coaching staff and the players. It’s really a great opportunity for me.”

And he’s joining a program on the upswing.

Concordia finished this season with a 25-30 overall record, the sixth consecutive season the school has won 20 or more games. In 2008, the Cardinals finished 27-22, setting a program record for wins in a season.

While Berry doesn’t expect to see much playing time right away, he plans on following the same recipe for success that’s earned him the chance to play at the next level.

“I’m the kind of guy who’s going to work hard at all times, and I’ll always understand what I’m there to do,” he said. “The thing I loved was when I talked to the coaching staff (at Concordia), they shared the same opinion of me that I believe. They don’t think I have peaked yet. They feel I can still get better as a pitcher and as a baseball player. I’m going to work to make sure that happens.”

“He’s going to find a way to be successful,” Athens coach Mike Morris said of Berry, who was 0-1 at press time. “He reminds me so much of the movie Rudy. He’s a great leader and an excellent worker. He loves and understands the game so well, but he works and battles for everything he gets.”

“My goal is simple,” Berry explained. “I’ll use baseball to keep pushing me and helping me grow. It’s always been a way of challenging myself and helping me be everything I can.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.