University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Former All-ACC Pitcher, Matt Gilbertson, Named Pitt Baseball’s Director of Player Development
9/7/2023 11:00:00 AM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH - Former Pitt ace and All-ACC pitcher, Matt Gilbertson, returns to Pittsburgh to serve as the baseball program's Director of Player Development, head coach Mike Bell announced Thursday morning.
Gilbertson spent the last three years of his collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh as he etched his name in the Pitt baseball record books. He finished his career eighth all-time in wins (17), 13th all-time in strikeouts (180) and 14th all-time in games started (32) and innings pitched (205.1).
"This program and university meant a lot to me during my time as a student-athlete, and I'm proud to be joining the staff to help this program continue to reach new heights. H2P!"
Following his graduation in the spring of 2022, Gilbertson went out West to be an assistant coach with the Las Vegas Baseball Academy. There, he would run practices, camps, games and summer leagues for youth baseball players of all ages. During that time, Gilbertson was also an assistant trainer at Greathouse Physical Therapy and Sport Science where he would write and direct workout programs and progressions for youth, high school and collegiate baseball players.
Gilbertson was hired last August to be the head assistant baseball coach at the University of Saint Katherine in San Marcos, California for the 2023 season. While on staff last season, the Firebirds won 17 games and had a number of both team and individual accolades. One of his infielders, Jacob McLeod, earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention for his play last season. As his catcher, Michael Bennin, was an All-Defensive Team selection, named The California Pacific Conference Champion of Character and worked the most single season walks in program history (29). The team also threw out 30 would-be base stealers last year, a single-season program record.
After the conclusion of Saint Katherine's 2023 season, Gilbertson signed a contract with the Hroši Brno Baseball Club in the Czech Republic. In his one summer with the club, he threw two complete games, struck out 64 batters and maintained a 3.11 ERA over 55 innings pitched.
The Henderson, Nevada native was named an All-ACC and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Pitcher following of his fifth-year senior season in 2022. Gilbertson posted a team-best 9-3 record, with four of those wins coming against ranked opponents (No. 5 Virginia, No. 5 Louisville, No. 7 Georgia Tech and No. 20 Clemson), while also leading the team in ERA (3.74), WHIP (1.17), starts (15), innings pitched (96.1) and strikeouts (88). Matt ranked among the national leaders in walks allowed per nine innings (8th - 1.03) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (12th – 7.91). He also ranked among the ACC leaders in wins (T-3rd – 9), innings pitched (4th – 96.1), innings per game (1st – 6.42), games started (T-8th – 15), strikeouts (T-8th – 88), strikeouts looking (2nd – 37), walks allowed (T-2nd – 11), shutouts (T-1st – 1) and complete games (T-1st – 1).
Gilbertson started in all 13 of the games he appeared in as a senior in 2021, as he led the team in innings pitched (85.0) and wins (6). Ranking seventh in the ACC in innings pitched and ninth in the ACC in wins. Gilbertson struck out 72 batters while finishing with a 4.45 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.
In his first year at Pitt, Gilbertson was only able to appear in four games due to the COVID-shortened season of 2020. In those four appearances he made all four starts and struck out 20 batters while leading the team in ERA (1.13) and innings pitched (24.0). His team-leading ERA and innings pitched were also good enough to rank him 6th in the ACC in those categories.
Prior to his arrival at the University of Pittsburgh, Gilbertson spent two years at the College of Southern Nevada from 2018-2019. He was a two-time Second Team All-SWAC selection and was named the Region-18 Postseason Most Outstanding Pitcher during his time there. As a sophomore he finished with a 10-1 record and had 75 strikeouts over 71.2 innings while maintaining a 2.39 ERA. As for his freshman year, Gilbertson held a 1.76 ERA and had a 5-2 record over 56.2 innings of work.
Gilbertson played at Green Valley High School in Henderson, Nevada where he was named First Team All-Southern Nevada in his junior and senior years. He also earned USA Today First Team All-Nevada Pitcher and Second Team All-Sunrise Region DH selections during his senior year, finishing with a 9-1 record and a 1.43 ERA over 50.1 innings pitched.
