Photo courtesy of AUM Athletics
By: Tasker Wheeler
MONTGOMERY, Ala. —The Auburn University at Montgomery men’s baseball started their season back at Southard Stadium in Saint Leo, Florida where they played a doubleheader. The first two games AUM came up short and lost 2-10 and 1-3 and ended strong with a 13-3 win.
The Warhawks last season was 19-31 and will look to improve and push to win the Gulf South Conference (GSC) Championship. It is junior Matthew Del Sol’s first season here at AUM. The second baseman from Elizabeth, New Jersey was asked some questions. One of them being, “How has the atmosphere been here at AUM compared to your previous schools?” He replied very graciously by saying, “The atmosphere here is really good. Everyone wants to achieve the same goal. Everyone comes out and attacks the field and the weight room with a lot of energy. It is great!”
The transfer student athlete is looking forward to creating new friendships. “I really enjoy meeting new people especially when we all share a similar passion. I’m also excited to graduate,” he said. Del Sol was a standout player at his previous school in Grayson College; across 37 games in 2023, he had three home runs, 16 runs batted in, 15 runs, 11 walks and two stolen bases. Del Sol said he is looking to accomplish more and be at his best here at AUM.
The 5’9” infielder shared that his goals for this upcoming season, which is to “win a championship, it’s as simple as that.” It’s great to hear that confidence from a great player like Del Sol. It shows that he has been preparing himself for this and is ready when he steps into the batting box and on second base that he is ready for the first pitch of game time. He said some very meaningful words on the game that he loves and life aspects that were very powerful coming from the transfer. “Continuing my baseball career here is promoting my passion in many ways. I’m being taught manhood and discipline. I’m being taught how to do things the right and proper way. Coaching staff here really helps in ways off the field as well.”
Del Sol said he decided to become a Warhawk due to the area and the history of winning. He mentioned that he believes that this is a great spot for him for the remaining two years of his college career. Despite not being close to home, “I feel like I’m fitting in,” he said. He may not close to home but he has a great attitude—always smiling and has a humble persona.
Franklin Bush is the third ever head baseball coach here at AUM. The Montgomery community and Auburn University at Montgomery is very happy to welcome him. “Montgomery is where it all started for me,” said Bush. “To come back home and serve as the head baseball coach [for Auburn University at Montgomery] is an absolute dream for me and my family. We are grateful to Chancellor Carl Stockton, Erik Maas and the search committee for this opportunity. We look forward to working each and every day to build on the success of this baseball program and athletics department.”
Wishing the Warhawks the best of luck this season, follow the AUM Men’s Baseball team on X (@AUMWarhawksBSB) or you can visit AUMAthletics.com.