Lone Greenbrier baseball senior filled leadership role

Cole Matherley’s career as Greenbrier’s second baseman wrapped up this past week.

However, it was a week he'll likely remember.

With an 11-1 victory over Lipscomb Academy on Wednesday, the Bobcats won the Region 5-AA title to bring them one win from securing a spot in the state tournament.

Matherley, the team’s lone senior, crushed a single through the left side of the infield to bring home the game-winning run, giving Greenbrier its first region championship in school history.

“I tried to say loose, I didn’t want to put any pressure on myself,” said Matherley. “Once I hit it, I knew it was going through.”

Greenbrier coach Tommy Williamson didn’t want his only senior to know, but he manipulated the moment for his star.

“I bunted runners over to get him up to the plate with runners in scoring position. He’s been hot lately, so I wanted him up there and he came through for us,” Williamson said.

Matherley's surge in the lineup came after he suffered a right shoulder injury during the fall. That led him to believe his playing days may be over.

“I fractured (my shoulder) during football season, it was a really long process trying to rehab it,” said Matherley.

The second baseman knew he wasn’t finished; he did everything he needed to do to keep playing baseball.

“The toughest part was staying motivated, putting in the work even though I couldn’t do everything (the others guys were doing),” said Matherley. “I tried to work out as much as I could to keep myself in shape.”

“He trusted us. We told him early in the year we’ll be easy on him because we needed him at the end of the year and we did,” said Williamson.

Matherley was forced into the leadership role this year with a roster of 17 younger guys looking up to him. Matherley said he knew with his injury it would be tough to lead, but was ready for the seasons challenges.

“It’s taken a little bit to get used to (being the only senior), I was used to my buddies being around me, but it’s been easy with this team,” said Matherley.

Matherley plans on continuing his career at second base by attending Cumberland University in the fall.