Hopkins hurls gem then catches GAC pitching award for SWOSU
SWOSU PITCHER Matt Hopkins delivers a pitch during an outing for the Bulldogs earlier this season. A Kingfisher graduate, Hopkins is in his first year with SWOSU. [Photo provided]
For the second time in the past three weeks, Southwestern Oklahoma State baseball has had a player honored as the Great American Conference Pitcher of the Week after Matt Hopkins earned the award on Monday.
Hopkins, a Kingfisher High School product, is in his first year with the Bulldogs.
He was stellar last Saturday in his Game 3 win over Ouachita in which the Bulldogs prevailed 10-0.
He struck out eight and allowed just four hits as he tossed seven scoreless innings before turning the game over to the bullpen for the eighth inning.
That would prove to be the final one after SWOSU scored twice in the bottom of the inning to invoke a run-rule.
With the win, Hopkins improved to 2-0 on the year and he’s allowed just three earned runs in 14.2 innings of work for a team-leading 1.84 ERA.
SWOSU was 8-4 in the conference and 9-4 overall after the series.
The Bulldogs are tied for third in the conference.
Hopkins graduated from KHS in 2017 after earning All-State honors as a senior.
Hopkins was 10-0 on the mound with two saves and collected a 0.908 earned run average along the way.
He helped the Jackets to a 30-9 record, which set the program record for wins at the time.
Hopkins signed and played two seasons at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.
From there, Hopkins signed to play at Emporia State University, but his junior season was canceled due to COVID-19 last year.
Hopkins retained his year of eligibility and remains a junior at SWOSU.