Worcester, MA --- WPI baseball player Matt Fiore (Wakefield, MA) was honored and given a plaque at the halftime of the WPI-Susquehanna game on November 3 after earning the distinction of being "Toughest to Strikeout in Division III during the 2007 season. The senior catcher fanned just one time in 151 at-bats as the Engineers went 24-16 this past year. He was presented the award on the newly renovated Alumni Stadium field by Director of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Dana Harmon.

It didn't seem like a big event at the time, but during his third at-bat in the second game of a season-opening series versus John Carroll (OH) in Fort Myers, FL, Blue Streak senior ace Matthew McKinnon, an eventual first team all-conference performer of the rugged Ohio Athletic Conference, caught Fiore looking on an 0-2 pitch.   That would be the last time an opposing pitcher would have the honor of sending Fiore back to the dugout on three strikes the rest of the season, a span of an eye-popping 161 plate appearances and 143 official at-bats.

Fiore, a two-time first team All-NEWMAC selection for head coach Mike Callahan, helped WPI to its greatest season in the 103-year history of the program.  He batted .331 with a team-high 34 runs and 12 doubles.  The Engineers won a school record 24 games and capped their season by winning the ECAC Division III New England Championship.

Story by Steven M. Miller, Jr --- WPI Athletics Intern