By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Former Willamette University pitcher Matt Kosderka ('98) has been named by The Oregonian newspaper as the Class 5A Baseball Coach of the Year for the 2011 season. Kosderka led Wilsonville High School to a Class 5A state runner-up finish in the Oregon State Activities Association (OSAA) playoffs.

Kosderka played for the Willamette baseball team for four years from 1995 through 1998. He was named First Team All-America by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a senior. This spring, during his eighth season at Wilsonville, Kosderka guided the Wildcats to a 23-7 overall record, including a 12-2 record on their way to the Northwest Oregon Conference title.

Wilsonville won a play-in game and advanced through three rounds of the playoffs before losing to Sherwood in the 5A Championship game, 6-3.

At Wilsonville, Kosderka has attained a 138-78 overall record. He previously played four seasons in the minor leagues as a pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization before retiring in 2001.

While attending Willamette, Kosderka put together outstanding stats on the mound. He still holds Willamette's career records for wins (30) and innings pitched (350 1/3). He ranks second all-time at WU in appearances (53), complete games (25), games started (42) and strikeouts (265). He is seventh on the career list with a 3.60 earned run average.

In addition, he is ranked at Willamette in several single season pitching categories. He holds the school records for strikeouts (109 in 1998) and innings pitched (102 1/3 in 1998), and is tied for the school record for wins (10 in 1998). In other single season stats, he is tied for seventh in complete games (7 in 1997 and 1998), is tied for ninth in appearances (16 in 1998), and is tied for 10th in saves (3 in 1998).

Kosderka also is a teacher at Wilsonville High School. He teaches physical education, wellness, weight training and video production.