Matt Way
Arguably the greatest college pitcher to come out of Alaska, Sitka’s Matt Way carved up Pac-10 hitters when he toed the rubber for Washington State University from 2006 to 2009.
A two-time All-Pac-10 performer, the sublime southpaw is one of only two Alaskans to throw at least three complete games at the NCAA D1 level and and the only Alaskan to rack up more than 100 strikeouts in a D1 season.
In 2009, he set the Washington State record for single-season strikeouts (124) that still stands today.
In his final start as a senior against arch rival Washington, he retired the first 14 Huskies he faced, carried a no hitter in the sixth, and had a one-hit shutout through seven. He finished with a career-high 13 strikeouts.
He went 8-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 107.1 innings and earned First Team All-Pac-10 honors.
Way, of Sitka High fame, is one of six Alaskans to throw a complete-game effort at the D1 level, but the only one to do it three times.
In 2008, he threw a 6-hitter against San Jose State in an 8-3 win and a 9-hitter against USC in an 8-5 win.
In 2009, he tossed a 5-hitter against UCLA in a 7-2 win. His 13 strikeouts against Washington in 2009 still rank No. 2 in school history. His 239 career Ks rank No. 5 all-time.
Way was picked in the fifth round of the MLB draft in 2009 by the Philadelphia Phillies. Being taken 167th overall makes him the fourth-highest draft pick from Alaska.
He played professionally from 2009 to 2014 and made it as far as Single-A.
He ranks No. 3 all-time among Alaskans with 30 pro wins and is tied for No. 1 with three shutouts.
Friday Flashback is a series created by Alaska Sports Report editor Van Williams that looks back on great Alaska athletes from the past.
Photo by Dean Hare / Associated Press