Matt Bittner was known for his work ethic and the skill he displayed at the hot corner. He established himself as one of the finest fielding third basemen in Behrend history, whether charging slow rollers or snaring liners.Bittner was a four-time All-AMCC selection for the Behrend baseball team from 2010-2013. He was a perennial hitter for the Lions, registering 199 hits and 176 RBIs over his four years. He led the team in RBIs for three seasons and finished with a .366 career batting average. Bittner was a two-time All-Region choice, including ABCA Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year and Second Team All-American honors in his junior year. He led the team to a pair of AMCC Championships and one ECAC South Championship.
Bittner began his career with 33 hits and 30 RBIs, earning his first All-AMCC honors on the second team and helping the Lions capture the AMCC Championship.
In his sophomore year, he was the picture of understated calm in the batter’s box.
He led the team with 58 hits and paced the conference with 51 RBIs. Bittner smacked 12 doubles, five home runs and hit an astounding .403. He was named Third Team All-AMCC while picking up first All-Region honors on the third team. As the year’s Team MVP , he drew national attention with NCBWA Division III Hitter of the Week honors.
Bittner recognized the pitch, its velocity and location, and then generated the mechanics to make hard contact. That led him to All-American honors in his junior year. He recorded 63 hits and 52 RBIs, both ranking second in the conference. Bittner led the AMCC in doubles (20) and triples (5). He was named ABCA Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year, First Team All-Region, First Team All-AMCC and was selected as an ECAC All-Star.
Bittner made success possible around him. The Lions won their third ECAC South Championship in 2012 and followed with another AMCC Championship in 2013. Bittner added 43 hits and 42 RBIs to his career stat sheet in his final season and was tabbed All-AMCC Second Team accolades.
His work ethic off the field matched his work ethic on the field.
Bittner earned CoSIDA Academic All-District and was named a three-time AMCC All-Academic honoree.