2016: After a slow start to his first year, became one of the Sun Belt’s top hitters over the second half of the season … led the team in hitting (.317), hits (60), runs (35), home runs (8) and RBI (42) … also led club in hitting (.306), hits (38 – t-4th in Sun Belt), runs (18), doubles, (7), home runs (4), extra-base hits (12), RBI (24 – t-5th in Sun Belt), total bases (59 – t-6th in Sun Belt) and slugging percentage (.476) in Sun Belt games … recorded 101 putouts … owned the Mountaineers’ two longest hitting streaks of the season (11 and 12 games) … junior-college transfer hit just .095 in his first 12 games as a Mountaineer but is hitting .329 over the last 37 contests … was been one of the nation’s top clutch hitters, hitting .368 (7-for-19) with three doubles, a home run, five RBI and three runs scored in the ninth inning of ballgames this season … had at least two hits in 17 games … had best series against Arkansas State (April 29-30), going 6-15 for seven RBI, two home runs and three runs … had more than three RBI in seven games … breakout game of the season came against eventual Sun Belt Conference runner-up Georgia Southern (March 12) when he went 3-4 for three RBI, one double and one run.

Previous Colleges: A second-team all-region selection after hitting six home runs, driving in 33 runs and stealing 12 bases in lone season at Florence-Darlington Technical College … coached by Preston McDonald … played in 19 games as a freshman at NC State in 2014.

High School: Four-year letterwinner … two-time all-state and all-conference honoree … selected to participate in North Carolina vs. South Carolina all-star game … ranked as the 32nd-best third baseman in the nation … coached by Mike Herndon … played summer/fall ball for Dirtbags (coached by Andy Partin).

Personal: Full name is Matthew Ryan Vernon … born March 5, 1994 (turns 22 during season) … son of Stephanie and David Vernon … enjoys fishing … majoring in communication studies with an economics minor … aspires for a career in real estate.