Wivinis at his best in big moments

Memories define athletes.

It could be a game, a play or just a brief moment, but every competitive player has something to remember. What, however, defines Downers Grove South senior baseball player Matt Wivinis?

With so many moments from the 2011 season to choose from, the answer differs depending on whom you ask. And if you select one, you may neglect another.

Wivinis had his moments of excellence in all phases of the game. He pitched the Mustangs to some of their biggest wins en route to a berth in the Class 4A Neuqua Valley sectional final. He made numerous web gems at third base as one of the state’s top defensive players and came through at the plate with immense offensive statistics.

With a full toolbox of talent, Wivinis is the 2011 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area baseball captain.

“He’s a grinder, I guess that’s how I’d describe him,” said Mustangs coach Darren Orel. “But if you watched him in practice I don’t know if you’ll see anyone who enjoys the game as much as he does. He never hangs his head. He just goes out and does his job every single day.”

The complete picture

Wivinis gradually came into his own as a ballplayer during his high school career at Downers South, but it was after his junior season while playing for the Downers Grove Longshots that he became a national name.

After narrowing his college choices in the off-season, Wivinis accepted a scholarship to Kansas State. The decision led to grand expectations for the spring, but Wivinis grasped the challenge.

“Some people may have been skeptical about how I might do this season, but I was confident I could do my job,” Wivinis said. “I felt pretty comfortable coming into the season, and when you’re comfortable you just play better.”

That comfort level led to his first definitive memory of the season when Downers South competed in a prestigious March tournament in Arizona. Wivinis faced nationally ranked Bishop Gorman, Nev. and fired a 4-hitter with 7 strikeouts and no walks in a 3-1 win.

Bishop Gorman recently won its sixth straight state title, cementing the early-season moment for Wivinis, who also drove in 2 runs that day.

“Facing a great team like that, I knew I had to pitch well,” Wivinis said. “We were the underdogs but we also had nothing to lose.”

The season turned out to be a roller-coaster ride for Downers South, which recovered in time for a strong postseason run. Wivinis wound up with a 4-6 record but had a solid 2.75 ERA and a 3-1 win over Naperville Central that gave the Mustangs their first regional title since 2007.

“You don’t see too many guys at the high school level who can throw their curveball for strikes like he does,” said Naperville Central coach Bill Seiple. “He was very effective against us.”

At the plate Wivinis was a model of consistency — and power. He batted .442 with 5 home runs, 37 RBI and a .731 slugging percentage.

In the field he was spectacular. In addition to making the jaw-dropping plays, Wivinis showed he never took a play off by committing only 8 errors the last two years.

The “grinder” became a complete player this season.

“He can beat you with the bat, on the mound and with the glove,” said Addison Trail coach Steve Gilliam. “He’s a kid who plays extremely hard, and you’d love to have him on your team.”

But as much as he looks like a natural, it took time for Wivinis to develop.

Small beginnings

Wivinis credits his father, also a college player, and his older brother Tyler for grooming his game. But it wasn’t always a smooth process growing up.

“I definitely wasn’t one of the biggest players out there,” he said. “I actually had to play second base because my arm wasn’t very strong.”

That was then, back before high school started. At his peak today he tops out at 93 mph with his fastball and at the same time brings a calming presence to the mound.

“He’s so calm out there and it really helps us through those tough situations,” said Mustangs catcher Nick Tenerelli. “Matt just goes out there, throws strikes and gets the job done.”

Even with his still-developing arm as a youth player, Wivinis always could hit the ball. That eventually put him on the fast track to varsity ball with the Mustangs as a sophomore.

After being the best player on the freshman team, it didn’t take long for him to mesh with his older varsity teammates.

“My biggest regret about his sophomore year is that I didn’t give him more innings on the mound,” Orel said. “He hit .400 for us the last two years, but it’s been in the last year-and-a-half or so that he really came into his own as a pitcher.”

Even with his ups and downs on the mound this season, Wivinis was often dominant at his best. And in those moments — like his moments at the plate and in the field — he showed he could be as good as anyone in the state.

Years from now, that’s what Wivinis will remember about this season.

“It’s funny because everyone used to think of me as a third baseman, and then I started being taken seriously as a pitcher,” he said. “Either way I take pride in whatever I’m doing out there.”