Matt Favero dominated on the mound and in the batter’s box during the 2015 season.
As a junior, the Madison left-hander finished 11-0 with a 0.82 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched. He also hit .340 with two home runs and 26 RBIs, helping the Warhawks win the VHSL state championship the program’s first since 2002.
For his efforts, Favero earned first-team All-Conference 6, first-team All-6A North Region and second-team All-State honors.
While he still has one year of high school remaining, Favero has planned for his baseball future, committing to play at Brigham Young University.
Favero recently participated in a Q&A via email with The Connection.
Connection: You’re committed to play baseball at BYU. What made BYU the right choice for you?
Favero: I had the opportunity to visit a number of schools and each one was great in its own way. All the coaches were amazing. However, I chose BYU because it felt like the right fit for me. It's a great education and a baseball program where I will be given the opportunity to compete for a starting spot right away. They play in the West Coast Conference, WCC, which is a great baseball conference. I'll also have the opportunity to play with my older brother Nate, who also played at Madison, and will be back in the lineup at BYU for his sophomore season this fall after finishing his two-year church mission in Chile. My cousin Pete Nielsen also just committed to BYU, and his older brother Michael will also be playing at BYU following his mission in Peru.
Connection: What position(s) will you play?
Favero: I want to be a two-way guy in college. I've been recruited as a pitcher, but I will also have the chance at BYU to prove myself as a hitter and first baseman.
Connection: How, if it all, do you feel committing prior to your senior year benefits you?
Favero: Committing right now just takes so much weight off my shoulders. Now I just need to work hard and continue to get better.
Connection: At what age did you start playing baseball?
Favero: I started playing around age 5.
Connection: When did you realize playing college baseball was an option for you?
Favero: Playing college ball has always been a dream of mine. I started getting a lot of interest early my sophomore year and that's when I began to realize that I could play at the next level, and hopefully above that, too.
Connection: What is the most difficult part of being a pitcher? What is the most rewarding?
Favero: The most difficult thing about being a pitcher is being consistent every night on the bump. Lots of different circumstances can affect the outcome of the game and sometimes it's a lot of pressure. The most rewarding part of pitching is the excitement of competing against great hitters. When I'm pitching, it's great to be a part of every play in the game.
Connection: What is your max fastball velocity to date?
Favero: My max fastball velocity this season was 88, sitting 84-87.
Connection: How would you describe the feeling of winning a state championship?
Favero: The feeling is unreal, knowing you're the last team standing is very rewarding. It’s awesome to know that all the work we put in paid off. Not many teams get to win the last game, so to be able to accomplish that with all my friends/teammates was awesome.
Connection: What is your favorite memory of the state championship game?
Favero: My favorite memory is delivering the walk off hit to win the game.
Connection: You won a state title as a junior. You're committed to a Division I program. What is your motivation to succeed during your senior year?
Favero: My goal is to get better every day. You can never be content with what you have done. I always want to get better in some aspect of the game. Next season will be an opportunity to take my game to the next level, and ultimately help my team get back to the title game.
Connection: You're sitting around playing a board game with family/friends. Do you play to have fun or play to win?
Favero: I don't really play board games, but if I did, I would obviously play to win. Let's just say, you can never own enough hotels.
Connection: Do you have a specific game day routine?
Favero: I always eat some sort of carb source to give me enough energy to throw and perform through the entire game. Before getting ready to pitch, I jog, do a full-body stretch, and some band exercises. While warming up, I focus on hitting my spots with my catcher. In the bullpen, I throw 15-20 pitches. I also have to prepare mentally. I try and relax by playing my guitar before I leave for each game.
Connection: What do you like to do when you’re not playing a sport?
Favero: I love playing guitar. It's something that I've done for years, both by myself and with my family and friends. Music is really important in my family too. I spend lots of time with my brother, sister, and Dad in our recording studio in our basement. I also love being outside. I love to fish. I'm not one to sit and watch TV or play video games. That's not me.
Connection: Are you a pro sports fan? Which team(s) do you root for?
Favero: I love the Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw is the man. He sets a good example, and he absolutely competes on the mound.
Connection: What location is the farthest you've traveled from the Washington, D.C metro area?
Favero: Cancun, Mexico.
Connection: What’s your favorite food?
Favero: Pasta is amazing.
Connection: Who is your favorite music artist? Why?
Favero: Keith Urban is my favorite artist. I love the music he writes, and he is a great performer.
Connection: What is your favorite movie? Why?
Favero: ‘Happy Gilmore’ is by far my favorite movie. It's a classic. Everyone calls me Shooter (Shooter McGavin from Happy Gilmore), pretty hilarious.