McKeesport, PA. – There have been many exciting moments throughout the year in 2018-2019 that made Penn State Greater Allegheny Athletics Exciting to watch. The fans have voted on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram page throughout the week and Matt Givler’s (Coatesville, PA./Coatesville HS) No-Hitter against Penn State New Kensington on April 22nd 2019 was named the PSUGA Moment of the year.
It was one of the biggest games of the year for the PSUGA Baseball team as they entered the final day of the regular season needing a win to clinch their sixth trip to the Penn State University Athletic Conference Playoffs in the past ten seasons. With a doubleheader schedule on the final day, PSUGA was looking to get it out of the way in game one and sent Givler to the hill with his team low 3.85 ERA on the line.
Givler got some offensive support early on as his team scored three runs in the top of the third to give him his first lead of the game. That was more than enough support for Givler, who was on fire throughout the afternoon. He only allowed one base runner in the game when he walked the leadoff batter in the second inning. Givler struck out five through the first four innings and headed into the bottom of the fifth with his team ahead 14-0 and a chance to close out the No-Hitter.
He would get back-to-back fly outs to start the inning and rolled a ground ball to third finishing the No-Hitter and sending his team to the playoffs. It was the first no-hitter thrown by a PSUGA pitcher in each of the last three seasons. It helped put an exclamation point on the end of the regular season and sent the team into the playoffs with momentum on their side.
It was a breakout year for Givler in his sophomore season setting new career highs in wins (4), strikeouts (24), and innings pitched (42.1). He also led the team with a 3.40 ERA in his 11 appearances (eight starts) this season. With two more years to go, the ceiling is high for Givler as he continues to be a work horse for Kenny Creehan and the PSUGA baseball team for years to come.
You the fans can continue to vote all summer long for our PSUGA Fan Vote awards. Just visit our Facebook (/PSUGAAthletics), Twitter (@PSUGAATHLETICS), and Instagram (@psugaathletics) pages every Monday to see the category and nominees and cast your vote so your voice can be heard.