Matt Imhof’s story is heartbreaking, inspiring, and well-documented. The former Cal Poly star decided to retire from professional baseball in the past few weeks and joined the podcast to talk about starting school again as an undergraduate student at Cal Poly, being an assistant coach, and what his mindset has been as he’s grappled with a potentially life-altering injury.

On this sometimes rambling episode of the Podcast, David Kline joins Owen in the studio. David, a recent Cal Poly graduate, has done some work for that school’s broadcasts online and on ESPN Radio 1280 and has some pretty solid world soccer knowledge at the ready.

Kline is a big soccer fan, and we go on about soccer in this country, the future of it, and Jurgen Klinsmann’s job thus far.

First though, my thoughts in the sports world are really focused on former Cal Poly pitcher Matt Imhof. Last week, Imhof, who was pitching for the Phillies organization in Florida, suffered an injury to his eye when a piece of exercise equipment at a ballpark broke off a wall. After a few surgeries, Imhof had a prosthetic eye implanted and his career seems to be in serious jeopardy.

Of all the guys on the team at Cal Poly that hosted a regional three years ago, Imhof was one of the easier guys to root for. I interviewed him a few times and he always came off as a really good, thoughtful kid who had worked very hard to get where he did (a second-round pick). Every time I think about what happened last week I just get sick to my stomach for the kid.

As one might expect from a guy like Matt, he’s putting his best foot forward.

As many of you know on Friday June 25th I had an accident. A large price of metal hit me in the head/eye resulting in a fractured nose, 2 fractured orbital bones, and most significantly, the loss of vision in my right eye. I was immediately taken to the ER and then transferred to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the #1 eye hospital in the world. That night, the doctors informed me that the damage to my eye was extreme and essentially that my eye had been crushed like a grape. The doctors told me they were going to do everything possible to reconstruct it but in all likelihood I would never regain sight in my right eye. The first surgery was somewhat a success but overall nothing had changed, so after discussions with my family and my doctors, it was decided that the best chance I had to live a normal life was to have my right eye removed and have a prosthetic one put in. This decision was not an easy one to make but to me it seemed like the right one so on Tuesday afternoon I went forward with the surgery. I’m currently still in Miami recovering from surgery but I’m doing well. This has been the hardest week of my life but I’ve had amazing support from my family and friends to help me get through it. For those who have been wishing me well, your support has not gone unnoticed and I appreciate everyone who has kept me in their thoughts and prayers. I had the best doctors in the world doing their best work on me and for that I am grateful as well. Although this injury has been tough it could have been much worse…I’m lucky to still have vision in my left eye…I’m lucky that i didn’t have brain damage…and I’m lucky to be surrounded my the most loving and understanding people in the world. I just wanted to write this message to let everyone know that even though I suffered some bad luck, I’m not dead. I’m gonna be alright, I’m gonna persevere, and I’m gonna succeed. It takes more than this to bring me down. Again thanks to everyone for the support .

A photo posted by Matt Imhof (@matt_imhof48) on Jun 30, 2016 at 9:44am PDT

That’s some perspective.

Matt now has almost 3,000 likes. On the Instagram post, I mean. One of them is definitely me — and that’s not limited to just social media. Sending good thoughts your way Mr. Imhof.

Enjoy the Podcast.

It’s taken me almost a week to finally get around to putting these together. Hope you enjoy.

Matt Imhof looked great in his final start at Cal Poly before being drafted in the second round by the Phillies this weekend.

Aaron Brown, who was also drafted by the Phillies, made a really nice catch at the wall against Cal Poly.

Arizona State right fielder, Trever Allen, made a great catch in the outfield.

Amidst Cal Poly’s Sunday night rally, the bench took some time to shuffle their feet to the beat.

Taylor Chris gave a heroic relief effort on Sunday night.

Cal Poly’s Jimmy Allen hit a home run in his final game at Baggett Stadium. Here’s the home run trot.

Last, but not least, Cal Poly closer Reed Reilly getting loose in the Mustangs bullpen in the top of the ninth inning, right before Pepperdine went back ahead.

Mark Mathias goes fishing after an RBI double in Friday night’s game. By Owen Main

With stuff Sacramento State head coach Reggie Christiansen described as “effectively wild,” Matt Imhof pitched 7 2/3 innings on Friday night giving up just one earned run and Cal Poly won their first regional game of 2014, 4-2 over Sacramento State.

Second baseman Mark Mathias and first baseman John Schuknecht — the first and last hitter in Cal Poly’s order — each had two hits to lead the Mustangs. Schuknecht just missed a third hit when a drive down the right field line landed just foul, beyond the left field wall.

The real story was Imhof, who threw 101 pitches in 7 2/3 innings, making Cal Poly’s four runs stand-up.

“If I walked a guy, or if a guy got on-base, for me it was just going back to the next pitch, kind of clearing it, and constantly battling and believing in myself and I just did that all game today,” said Imhof.

Christiansen agreed.

“I thought their guy Imhof was special,” said Christiansen. “The way our guys competed, I thought we were in the game. Cal Poly’s just a better team.”

Imhof had more walks (5) than strikeouts (4), a rarity for him. But he managed to give up only one earned run and got outs with runners on base when he needed to.

“Imhof’s just straight power,” said Sac State first baseman and WAC Player of the Year, Rhys Hoskins. “Obviously, he’s probably the hardest thrower we’ve seen all year. It took a little adjustment to get used to it.”

Cal Poly fans dominated the crowd, giving Imhof a standing ovation as he gave way to closer, Reed Reilly for the final four outs.

“The atmosphere was electric today,” said Imhof. “It was unbelievable — packed house. When I came off, that was the loudest I’ve ever heard a stadium in my entire life. The fans were really into the game. You could just kind of feel the energy. It’s one of those things that you don’t really get until you get into the postseason… . It was awesome.”

With the win, Cal Poly moves on to play Pepperdine tomorrow (Saturday) night at 6:00 pm. Sacramento State plays an elimination game against Arizona State at 1:00 pm.

Photos by Owen Main

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

Bryan Granger and the Cal Poly bullpen could be called-on to pitch some big innings in this weekend’s regional. By Owen Main

Matt Imhof. Reed Reilly. Mark Mathias. Casey Bloomquist. Nick Torres, Brian Mundell, Zack Zehner, Nick Torres, and Jimmy Allen. There are lots of names that people are talking about going into Cal Poly’s 2014 regional, but names that people aren’t mentioning may make a really big difference.

If Cal Poly is to move on in the San Luis Obispo regional, which starts today, they’ll almost certainly need some contribution from players outside of the names everyone knows.

If Larry Lee has his way, Cal Poly will use Matt Imhof and Casey Bloomquist for 7-plus innings in wins Friday and Saturday, setting up a Sunday game where the Mustangs would have Taylor Chris, Reed Reilly, or both relatively fresh for Sunday to back-up presumed starter Justin Calomeni.

But an NCAA Regional is a fickle proposition. Decisions that need to be made, in the moment, to win today’s game, may test pitching depth later in the weekend. This is where I believe someone less heralded will have to step out of the Cal Poly bullpen and make a statement.

Maybe it will be Bryan Granger. The right-handed junior from Hollister, CA was a starter last season before being moved to a middle relief role this year. Granger, who sports a 3.04 ERA, has recorded some big outs, especially in games started by neither Imhof nor Bloomquist. His delivery comes just enough from the side to throw hitters off for at least one time through the rotation. If things get tough for the Mustangs, they may need him to go through an opposing order more than once at some point this weekend.

Beyond Reilly, Chris, and potential game-four starter, Danny Zandona, the bullpen might start to get a little thin. Slater Lee was the Saturday starter for most of the non-conference slate, pitching a complete-game shutout at UCLA. During conference, though, Lee’s ERA ballooned to 6.20 as he lost his role in the starting rotation. Michael Dingilian, Jearl Jesson, and Nick Suniga are the only other Mustangs to take the hill this season. All of their ERA’s are over 5.00 and, as a group, they only pitched 26 1/3 innings.

A regional tournament tests a team’s fortitude, character, and, sometimes, pitching depth. Starting tonight, we’ll see if any of these less-used Mustangs are thrust into the spotlight at some point this weekend with the task of getting big outs with Cal Poly’s season on the line.

Andrew Morales. Really good pitcher. By Owen Main

This weekend’s Big West showdown between UC Irvine and Cal Poly started just about how you’d imagine. Aces Andrew Morales and Matt Imhof battled for eight innings with the Anteaters coming out on-top 3-2.

Irvine’s execution was impeccable. They took advantage of a few Cal Poly miscues, including an error by Imhof and a few plays that should have been made.

One of Cal Poly’s two runs came as a result of a bad hop grounder, but other than that Irvine made just about every play they were supposed to.

The game featured two players on the final 30 for the Golden Spikes award, which is given to the nation’s top collegiate player.

Morales is good

Andrew Morales was as-advertised. The senior from Covina, CA struck out eight Mustangs, only walked one, and had a bunch of innings where he threw around 10-15 pitches.

Morales, who came into the game with an ERA under 1.00, hasn’t lost a game as an Anteater. Cal Poly has done a great job of having good at-bats, drawing walks, and getting guys on-base all season. Morales, who poured in strike after strike was having none of that.

Morales, who looks about as unassuming as anyone, has a motion that is slightly unique. He hides the ball as well as anyone.

Andrew Morales was on-point when he needed to be against Cal Poly on Friday. By Owen Main

Imhof has another solid outing

Cal Poly ace Matt Imhof also had another solid outing. The lefty labored in the first few innings and when he gave up two runs in the fifth, it looked like his day might be cut-short. But in the sixth through eighth innings, Imhof found his groove and the junior ended up with 13 strikeouts.

Imhof also walked four batters, including at least one that came around to score.

Warning track power?

The three hardest-hit balls of the game turned out to be outs.

Sophomore Brian Mundell didn’t seem fooled by Morales, driving two balls to the warning track in deep center field. Two or three years ago, these are balls that probably would have been home runs, but with the new bats, they were just long outs. Credit UC Irvine center fielder Justin Castro for also running down a ball hit to the wall at the 385 sign by Mark Mathias and making all three plays.

Cal Poly, now 2 1/2 games back of Irvine, will try to claw back into the series tonight at 6:00.

Photos by Owen Main

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

Why is this the most important week thus far for the Cal Poly Mustangs? Let me count the ways:

Shortstop, Peter VanGansen always seems to be on base for Cal Poly. By Owen Main

The Big West Title

The Big West Conference doesn’t have a baseball tournament. Instead, the winner of the regular season gets the automatic bid. Right now, the frontrunner is not Cal Poly, it’s UC Irvine.

The Anteaters will visit Baggett Stadium this weekend for the final three regular season home games for Cal Poly. A sweep puts Cal Poly in the driver’s seat for the conference title. A series win gets them well-into the race. A series loss to the Anteaters would make Irvine strong favorites to hold-on during the last few weeks of the title.

Revenge

Cal Poly has one mid-week game loss this season. It was last week. To Pepperdine. This week, the Mustangs have a chance to even things up with the Waves.

Last week, Pepperdine, who had a bye over the weekend, threw their ace pitcher against Cal Poly in an attempt to get their five-game week off to a good start. They beat Cal Poly, but proceeded to lose their next three games to Long Beach State and Loyola Marymount. The Waves did salvage one game against LMU and are looking to beat Cal Poly for the second week in a row.

Cal Poly snapped a four-game losing streak in winning the last two games of their series at UC Riverside last week. They’ll be looking for payback on Tuesday.

Regional Hosts

Cal Poly is all but locked-in to host a regional on the West Coast. I suppose they could lose most of the rest of their games and find themselves bumped, but if the prevailing wisdom is correct, they’ll at least take care of business enough to host a regional. What is more in question at this point is whether they’ll be a national seed going into the NCAA Tournament.

A National Seed

Losing the Big West Conference, or even this upcoming series to UC Irvine could cost Cal Poly a top-eight national seed. National seeds not only get to host Regionals, but are also automatic Super Regional hosts should they advance.

Cal Poly isn’t counting their chickens yet, and neither should their fans, but the road to Omaha is made slightly easier by taking care of business and earning a top-eight seed. Currently, Cal Poly is ranked as high as fifth and as low as eleventh in five major polls. A sweep of Irvine or 3-1 week could make that top-eight ranking and national seed more of a possibility.

The return of Mark Mathias this past weekend could go a long way toward getting the Mustangs back in an offensive rhythm. Cal Poly also hopes that Matt Imhof, coming off his worst performance of the season in Riverside, also gets back into a groove back at Baggett Stadium.

Cal Poly’s Nick Torres slides into home safely after a bases-loaded single turned into a three-run error. By Owen Main

Cal Poly rode ace Matt Imhof long enough to get out to a big lead, and won game one of their three game series with Cal State Fullerton 8-0 on Thursday night. Imhof pitched 6 1/3 scoreless inning, striking out nine Titans and walking two while surrendering just two hits.

By the time Imhof left the game, Cal poly led 7-0, which means the Mustangs didn’t have to use either of their top two relievers — lefty Taylor Chris and closer Reed Reilly.

Game two of the three-game series tomorrow will pit Fullerton ace Thomas Eshelman against Cal Poly freshman, Slater Lee. First pitch is at 6:00 pm at Baggett Stadium.

Photos by Owen Main, who also apparently forgot what year it is……

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

Matt Imhof has had an amazing season so far. His Cal Poly Mustangs, too, may be in the midst of something historic.

Imhof gave up just four hits in a complete-game shutout while striking out 13 Aggies on Friday night in an 8-0 complete game shutout. It was the fourth double-digit strikeout game for the junior lefty, who is now 6-1 on the season.

Because they can’t really give it to him every week, Imhof (who has already won Big West Pitcher of the Week honors three times this season) lost out to Hawai’i’s Matt Cooper, who gave up one run and struck out nine batters in a complete game against UCSB.

Imhof didn’t give up any walks and only faced 31 batters for the game. For Aggie fans, this is how most innings probably felt like:

Sorry if this .gif made you nauseous. I’m still working on my .gif game. I know it made the Aggies and their fans nauseous. 

The rest of the weekend went much the same for Cal Poly, who stands atop the Big West Conference with a 23-4 record (3-0 in Big West play).

The Mustangs used Taylor Chris for five no-hit innings to earn a victory on Saturday and then finished-off UC Davis on the back of Casey Bloomquist on Sunday. Bloomquist went 8 innings and didn’t give up an earned run in a 9-1 win.

Next-up is a Tuesday night game against Cal State Bakersfield followed by a home series against UC Santa Barbara, one of the three current Top-25 teams in the Big West Conference. Santa Barbara lost their series last weekend against Hawai’i.

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

Hyland is perfect

Cal Poly freshman pitcher Sierra Hyland tossed a perfect game in the conference opener on Saturday against Cal State Northridge. It was Hyland’s second no-hitter of the season and led to her fourth Big West Conference Pitcher of the Week Award this season.

Hyland struck-out eleven Matadors and, since it was a perfect game, didn’t walk any.

Matt Imhof might be the best major league prospect on Cal Poly’s roster. By Owen Main

Aaron Fitt, Baseball America college writer, joined Owen on this episode to talk about Cal Poly baseball’s hot start.

We also discussed why it’s hard to get teams from the ACC or SEC out west to play the Mustangs, Big West baseball, and the perceived East coast bias in college baseball.

Aaron is basically a college baseball encyclopedia. If you’re a college baseball fan on the west coast, this podcast is for you.

Find Aaron on twitter @aaronfitt.