Sandy baseball’s Matthew Kosderka pitches shutout, hits winning home run

Sandy baseball won a back-and-forth pitching battle, not just on the mound but thanks to a deep shot homer from its star slinger.

It helps when you’ve got the reigning Mt. Hood Conference pitcher of the year.

Pioneers senior Matthew Kosderka lived up to his lofty billing on a rainy Friday afternoon, May 3, against visiting Clackamas. In seven innings he held the Cavaliers scoreless, thanks to some wicked tosses — though he is quick to redirect the praise to his defense behind him.

“Our defense is spectacular every night,” he said. “When I go out there I know I don’t have to always get the strike, because when balls are in play my guys will get them.”

“It is just a phenomenal support case,” Kosderka said added. “Makes it a lot easier for me to do my job.”

Then he provided fireworks at the plate with a game-winning deep home run up the middle in the bottom of the 6th inning. He described the score against his counterpart, Clackamas senior Kayle Pisano, like only a pitcher could.

“He had been attacking me with the outside fast ball first at bat,” Kosderka said. “Second at bat he went inside with a curve ball. He had been missing all over the place, so I was just sitting waiting for that fast ball down the middle of the zone.”

“He gave me one I liked and I was able to hit it out,” he said with a smile.

No. 9 Sandy (17-4, 7-2 League) bested No. 26 Clackamas (13-8, 6-3 League) 1-0 as the regular season continues to wind down.

For his play, Kosderka got to wear a gold necklace in the post-game huddle. It has become a new tradition for the Pioneers, and showcases how connected this group has become.

“We got it about two months ago for one of our players because we all like to call him the GOAT (Greatest of All Time),” Kosderka said. “Now we use it as a home run celebration.”

That kind of camaraderie, and the heap of wins, is why Pioneers faithful have been sensing something special about this group.

“All of us have been together a long time,” Kosderka said. “Before every game we do a team prayer, give all glory to God, and that is what propels us through.”

The goal is to go all the way.

“We want to win the conference and win state,” he said.