From the Dugout: Fall Baseball Is Here!

There is always something special about having the guys back on campus, and this fall has been no different. The energy around the program is great, it’s exciting to see our guys back on the field, in the weight room, and continuing to build our team.

We started fall ball on the second day of classes, and we have been going four days a week on the field. Fridays look a little different; we let seniors and upperclassmen run practice. We really value giving our older guys the opportunity to lead and take ownership of our program.

We are also lifting three days a week with speed training on Fridays. We introduced the speed training component last year, and I have been really impressed with how it has continued to develop. Our guys have bought into the process. It has been even better this fall.

Fall baseball is all about development, competition, and learning to do things the right way. We will wrap up the fall with our annual Fall World Series on October 13 and 15. The winning team gets Gary's Pizza, while the losers get hot dogs! It should be a fun way to finish our fall season.

Inside the Program

A Great Day for Johnnie Baseball

September 11 was a great day for Johnnie Baseball as we hosted our Baseball Golf Outing. We had more than 100 Johnnie Baseball alumni and friends of the program join us for the day.

It was awesome to see so many former Johnnies back together and hear the stories, memories, and laughs that baseball has created over the years. Our program is fortunate to have such a strong alumni and friend network, and events like this are a great reminder that being a Johnnie doesn't end when you graduate.

We are hopeful that the Baseball Golf Outing can become an annual tradition. A big thank you to everyone who played, sponsored, volunteered, or helped make the day such a success. We truly appreciate your support of Johnnie Baseball.

Go Johnnies Challenge

The annual Go Johnnies Challenge on September 15 was another great day for our program. We are excited to share that we raised more than $35,000 from 127 donors!

We are extremely grateful to everyone who support Johnnie Baseball. Whether you have been around our program for decades or are just getting to know Johnnie Baseball, your support makes a difference. More importantly, days like the Go Johnnies Challenge remind our players that there is a large group of people behind them who believe in what they are doing. We are incredibly thankful for everyone who continues to invest in our program and our student-athletes.

Recruiting Update

Recruiting has been busy with a good number of recruits visiting campus throughout the late summer and early fall.

Late August and September are some of the best times for high school seniors to get on campus. Our students are back, classes are in session, and recruits get to see what everyday life at Saint John's is really like. Recruits and their families have the opportunity to experience campus, meet our players, see our facilities, and get a better feel for what it means to be a Johnnie.

We have more visits coming up this fall, and we are excited about continuing to get to know the next group of potential Johnnies and their families.

Senior Spotlight

What’s your name, position, and major at Saint John’s?

My name is Alex Matchey. I am a second baseman and a Global Business major.

Where are you from, and what high school did you attend?

I grew up in Stillwater and attended Stillwater Area High School

What made you choose Saint John’s University and Johnnie Baseball?

I chose Saint John’s because I loved the campus and heard so many great things from my friends already on campus about the baseball program and the network you can build! The biggest thing for me is that everyone in Johnnie Baseball looks out for each other and are always trying to help us find jobs and be successful outside of baseball.

What does being a part of Johnnie Baseball mean to you?

Being a part of Johnnie baseball makes me feel like I am a part of a brotherhood. It feels like I have 55 built-in friends that I get to hang out with every day and help each other get better.

How has Johnnie Baseball helped you grow as a person?

Johnnie baseball has allowed me to grow as a person because we focus on a well-rounded college experience here. We are given time to be social, get our schoolwork done and play baseball.

How do you lead as a senior?

I would say leading as a senior is different because everyone watches you, so you truly must lead by example and practice what you preach. I have been trying to get to know every single person on the team because I feel like that can go a long way to help some of the younger guys.

What are your goals for your final season?

To win a MIAC championship and host a regional at SJU.

What’s next for you after graduation (career plans, grad school, etc.)?

After graduation I hope to get into some kind of sales role. I feel like that position fits my strengths well.

What advice would you give to younger players in the program or incoming first years?

I would tell the incoming first years that it is important to meet as many people at SJU as possible, and to embrace every minute because it goes by extremely fast.

What will you miss most about Saint John’s and Johnnie Baseball?

I will miss getting to compete every day, but I will miss living next door to all my best friends the most!

Alum Spotlight – Andrew Gurbada ‘10

Athletics Fun Facts

Four-year starter with SJU from 2006-2010 (OF, DH); DB in football

Hit .355 senior year with 12 extra base hits, while starting in LF all 39 games

Hit .400 for the Sobieski Skis on 2014 MN State Class C Title team

Placekick holder on last second game winning 49-yard field goal by Russell Gliadon ‘09 to beat Bethel on Homecoming in 2009.

Hole-in-one at the SJU FB golf scramble on hole #2 at Deer Run in 2024

Saint John’s Baseball and Football Memories

Living with eight football players at the Estates in St. Joe and watching it be turned into a bed and breakfast two years later

Eating rattlesnake in Arizona on a spring trip for baseball with a team meal sponsored by Johnnie alumni

Listening to Carbo and Jerry tell stories and make fun of Coach Spohn

Listening to John Gagliardi do stand-up comedy during summer FB camp team meetings

Watching Joe Luke ’09 on kickoff his freshman year

Playing in the Minne-Masters every August at Cragan’s with 20 SJU alums including baseball alum Michael Carr ‘10

Life after SJU

MBA from Hamline in 2012

Owner of SmarterHSA LLC, an insurance business

Since 2016, SmarterHSA has completed four acquisitions and has locations in Chicago; Houston; Bend, OR; and Chanhassen.

Married in 2016 with three children: Felix (8), Max (6), and Lucy (4).

Currently living in Carlsbad, CA (30 miles north of San Diego)

Seven handicap in golf; currently a member at Hazeltine National in Chaska.

What it means to me to be a Johnnie alumnus

Attended SJU baseball camp from 5th-12th grade.

I have attended Johnnie football games since I was 12 years old.

All my best friends are Johnnie grads.

Several business relationships with Johnnie alumni, including key clients in the early stages of starting my business.

Coach's Final Word

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year because it gives us an opportunity to get better without the pressure of a game on the schedule every weekend.

Our seniors and upperclassmen have an important responsibility this fall. They are setting the tone for our younger players and helping establish what we want Johnnie Baseball to look like moving forward. Leadership doesn't just happen in games… it happens every day—in the weight room, on the field, in the classroom, and in the way our guys interact with one another.

We talk a lot about championship effort and championship mindset, and the fall is where those habits are built.

Come see us play on Sunday, September 27th at home vs Minnesota Morris. It will be a double header starting at noon. We had a wonderful crowd last year. It would be great to see that support again on Sunday.

We are excited about where this group is headed, but we know there is a lot of work ahead. We will continue to challenge our guys to get better, compete with one another, and take ownership of our program.

As always, thank you to everyone who continues to support Johnnie Baseball. We are grateful for the alumni, parents, families, friends, and supporters who make this program special.

Go Johnnies!