SACRAMENTO -- Former Sacramento State pitcher Celina Matthias has been invited to play for the Chinese Taipei national softball team, and will leave for Nantou, Taiwan, later this month.
Matthias, who starred for the Hornets from 2015-18, will play for Chinese Taipei into November for what essentially will be a two-month tryout with the team. Once Matthias' two-month evaluation is finished, she could be invited back to the team in April for qualifier tournaments as Chinese Taipei will attempt to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Matthias, whose mother, Cindy, is of Taiwanese descent, recently completed a remarkable career that places her among the greatest pitchers in Sacramento State history.
A two-time all-region selection, two-time Big Sky Pitcher of the Year and 10-time conference pitcher of the week choice, Matthias became just the fifth Hornet in the program's Div. I era (1990-pres.) to be named all-region multiple times. In addition, she is one of just two pitchers in Big Sky history be named the league's pitcher of the year on more than one occasion.
This past season, the right-hander helped the Hornets to the Big Sky regular season and tournament championships, as well as the program's first NCAA Regional appearance since 2008. The Elk Grove, Calif., native was a third team all-Pacific Region selection, Big Sky Pitcher of the Year and first team all-league after earning the win or save in 25 of the Hornets' 31 victories.
In 42 appearances (29 starts), Matthias went 20-11 with a 2.11 ERA, five saves, 24 complete games and seven shutouts. In 212.2 innings, she allowed just 167 hits while striking out 207 batters. She led the Big Sky in wins, appearances, ERA, strikeouts, strikeouts looking (64) and opponents batting average.
Matthias became just the third pitcher in the team's Div. I era to record 50 career wins, and finished with career marks of 58-45 with 12 saves and a 3.01 ERA. In 681 innings pitched, she had 145 appearances, 92 starts, 65 complete games , 17 shutouts and 516 strikeouts.
Among Sacramento State Div. I era career leaders, she ranks first in appearances and saves, third in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched, fourth in starts and complete games, and fifth in shutouts.
NOTE -- Matthias will become the second Hornet in the last couple months to compete for a national team. Outfielder Suzy Brookshire, who will enter her junior season, competed for Mexico in August at the Women's Softball World Championship in Chiba, Japan.


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