INDUCTION CEREMONY SPEECH

Matthew Bishop's career encompasses many historic feats but none more important than being the first Endicott student-athlete to ever be drafted by a major league team in 2005 when the Houston Astros selected him in the 37th round.

His standout career also includes being named to Baseball America's Top Prospect List in 2006, helping the Gulls win their first-ever NCAA Tournament game against Amherst (12-10) with a near two-inning save on May 21, 2004, one All-Region honor, Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Player of the Year honors in 2006, and two All-CCC First Team selections.

Bishop accomplished all this as a two-way player for the Gulls hitting .349/.457/.646 (.avg/.obp/.slg) at the plate to go along with 105 runs, 140 hits (29 2B, 9 3B, 24 HR), 87 RBI, 53 walks, and 17 stolen bases. On the mound, Bishop went 14-6 overall in 154.2 innings pitched for a 2.33 ERA. He also struck out 177 batters during that span and still ranks first in program history in strikeouts per nine innings at 10.30. He still holds the career program records for highest slugging percentage and most home runs as well.

As a team, during Bishop's three-year career from 2004-06, Endicott went 78-58 overall, 44-16 in conference games, won two CCC Championships (2004, 2006) and one Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) crown (2005).