SEATTLE, W.A. (WLOS) — On Friday night the Minnesota Twins take on the Seattle Mariners. This a special game as two Cullowhee natives are facing off: Zebby Matthews, pitcher for the Twins, and Cal Raleigh, catcher for the Mariners.
Both players grew up in Cullowhee and played for the Smoky Mountain Mustangs in high school.
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Matthews played for Western Carolina University in college and was drafted in the eighth round of the 2022 MLB draft.
Matthews has pitched twice this year for the Twins. In his most recent outing on May 24, Matthews recorded nine strikeouts in 4 innings. Matthews is the expected starting pitcher for the Twins on Friday, May 30.
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Raleigh played for Florida State in college and was drafted by the Mainers in the third round of the 2018 MLB draft. He won his first Gold Glove Award in 2024 and won the America League Platinum Glove Award also in 2024.
Raleigh played in 54 games this season. He is hitting an average of two fifty-eight, as well as 19 home runs. Many people consider Raleigh an all-star this year.
The two will face off with the first pitch at 10:10 p.m. in Seattle, Washington.