GI baseball team is on the Klock

by Eric Keppeler
Grand Island Dispatch, May 12, 2006

You never really know what you’re going to get when you call up a youngster to play high school varsity baseball. If you’re lucky, you get a player who provides adequate defense on the field and the occasional timely hit at the plate.

Grand Island coach Dean Santorio certainly never expected what he got when he brought up sophomore Matt Klock at the start of the year. After shining last season with the junior varsity squad, all Klock has done this year on varsity is play solid defense in left field, lead the Vikings in home runs and win three of four starts as the team’s No. 3 pitcher.

“He goes out there every day and plays well in the field,” Santorio said. “He’s already delivered some big hits for us, and he just goes out there every day like he belongs – and he plays like it.”

Through eight Niagara Frontier League contests, Klock is hitting .391 with three home runs. Also, two of his three pitching victories have come against NFL rivals.

“I think I’m just concentrating more when I’m up at the plate,” Klock said. “I’m not trying to do anything special – just hit the ball hard. I wanted to have an impact and I thought I’d be OK, but I didn’t expect to have an impact like this.”

Probably no one expected Klock to be having this kind of season.

Santorio figured that Klock could certainly hold his own at the varsity level – but he never expected the quality of play and leadership that he is getting from someone so young.

“I thought Matt would be able to step right in and contribute, but I would say that he’s exceeded my expectations,” Santorio said. “He’s been a leader, and for a sophomore to do that and for the other kids to look up to him – that’s rare. Our seniors look up to him and know he’s a ball player.”

That respect is rare, and it is not lost on Klock. He understands that it is borne of the way he carries himself and the way he has performed.

He lets his actions on the field speak for themselves.

“I think the other guys respect me, and I really like being a part of this team,” Klock said. “It’s a great bunch of guys.”

The Vikings usually are in the hunt for the league crown, and the sectional title that lies beyond, and this season is no exception.

As a whole, that familiarity and camaraderie is translating into success on the field. Through Wednesday, the Vikings are 6-3 in the NFL – a half-game out of first place behind a handful of squads that have two league losses.

“It’s great playing for coach Santorio,” Klock said. “I’m happy that we’re in the hunt for the league title, and I hope we can keep it going. I’d like to keep hitting like I am and help out the team any way I can.”