Matt Tabor ’17 accomplished one of the most challenging and impressive achievements in sports when he pitched a perfect game against Lawrence Academy this spring. Matt’s perfect game, which happened on April 30, capped a season full of highlights for the boys’ varsity baseball team.
“Pitching a perfect game is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Sam Murray ’17. The accomplishment is rare—Coach Matthew Petherick had never had a pitcher throw a perfect game before Matt.
Matt said that he did not have high expectations going into the game because Lawrence was undefeated. Instead, he “was focused on being the best I could be and going out to get a ‘W.’”
Matt says it was not until the fourth inning when he realized that the feat was within reach. However, he stayed focused on winning the game, rather than fixating on throwing a perfect game. A perfect game occurs only when no opposing batters reach base.
“It was honestly such a surreal experience, and I couldn’t have done it without the support and play of the guys behind me. Isaac Fossas ’17 and Gavin Baker-Greene ’16 made huge plays that saved the perfect game,” says Matt.
Sam Hitt ’16 says that Matt had “many great outings this year and has been vital to the team’s winning record.” Sam also described Matt, who can throw 85 miles per hour, as one of the best pitchers in the ISL. Matt has committed to play Division I baseball at Elon University.