University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Matthew Hoskins
March 16, 2023 | Baseball, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Built like a linebacker, Georgia baseball freshman Matthew Hoskins wants to beat you on the mound and at the plate.
As a pitcher, the hard-throwing 6-foot-2 and 222-pound Hoskins, from Duluth, Ga., has appeared in five games this season. In 10.1 innings, he's struck out 18 batters and allowed just five hits and two earned runs. He's only had one plate appearance so far, against Charleston Southern on March 11, and he got a hit.
During a Quick Chat before practice Thursday, Hoskins talked about his walk-up music, his love of hockey, his favorite baseball movies, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: Which feels better, getting a big hit or a big out as a pitcher?
Hoskins: I don't know. I'd say they're equally satisfying. You can't really duplicate crushing a baseball, and you can't really duplicate getting a big out. I'd say they're both unbeatable, to be completely honest with you.
Frierson: What is your favorite baseball movie?
Hoskins: I liked to watch "42" a lot growing up. I thought that was really interesting. And "Sandlot" is a really good one, too. That's a funny one. It's got to be between those two, I think.
Frierson: I love that "Sandlot" is still a favorite after all these years (it was released in 1993).
Hoskins: It's really good. I'd say "Rookie of the Year" is in the mix, too. That's another good one.
Frierson: What is your walk-up music? And how do you go about selecting a song?
Hoskins: This year, I've got "Who Are You?" by The Who. I think it's got a good beat when you walk out to it; I don't know, I think it's kind of cool to walk out as it's going "Who are you?" Nobody knows who I am since I'm a freshman. I thought it was a good fit and I always liked the song.
Frierson: Did you play a lot of sports when you were young, or was it all baseball for you?
Hoskins: I grew up playing baseball and hockey. As I got a little bit older, toward high school, I started to realize that my chances might be better with baseball. I started playing when I was really young, but then my dad got me into hockey when I was around 7 of 8. I played hockey all the way until I started high school, and then it was just baseball from that point forward.
Frierson: Tell me about you the hockey player. What position did you play? And are there skills in hockey that translate well to baseball?
Hoskins: I'd say the competitive aspect is also really important in hockey. It can be pretty tiring if you're on the ice for a while.
I used played most positions other than goalie. I couldn't play goalie — I would have been no good at goalie. I liked to play defense and offense; they've both got their perks.
I've been a big hockey fan for a long time. There's nothing better than watching it live. It's such an action-packed sport, and it's the alternative to football for me. Most kids in the South play football, but for some reason I really got into hockey.
Frierson: Is there anybody on the team you can talk hockey with?
Hoskins: Yes, actually. My roommate, Blake Gillespie, is from Canada, so he's a big hockey fan. We've had tons of conversations about hockey, and he played hockey growing up, too.
Frierson: If you could play with or against anyone in history, who would it be? Is there a pitcher or a batter you'd like to face?
Hoskins: I'd definitely like an at-bat against (high-powered closer) Aroldis Chapman. He's someone everyone looks at as throwing the hardest and maybe the most intimidating.
If there's a hitter that I'd want to throw to on the mound, shoot, maybe Aaron Judge in his prime right now. Possibly Pete Alonso the year that he had 50 home runs. I'd want to to be somebody that would give me a run for my money, just to see what it's like.
Frierson: What's something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Hoskins: Oh, man, definitely Goldfish and Cheeze-Its [laughs]. Anyone that knows me will say the same thing. I'm a big snacker, and as long as I can remember I've eaten Goldfish and Cheeze-Its.
If we're talking meals here, it's probably a chicken quesadilla. That's been the go-to lately. I'm pretty simple, I guess.
Frierson: What do you do to get away from baseball and school? How do like to relax?
Hoskins: Sometimes it can even be watching baseball, but if I'm really trying to get away from baseball, I'll do something outside. I really enjoy being outside on a nice day, like today for example. I fished a lot growing up, just hanging out with my friends.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
