Over the past three years playing for Legacy, this tournament has become my favorite because of the meaning behind it. It always helps propel us into districts and compete for a district championship.
The seventh annual Matt Clark Classic Baseball Tournament was held the first weekend in March. The Legacy baseball team competed very well going undefeated and winning the Matt Clark Classic at Legacy Christian. Nathan Norris hit .776 with a home run and 7 RBI in the tournament earning MVP Honors. Braxton Edrington hit .444 to earn the Silver Slugger Award. Matthew Scott threw a one-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts 1 walk and no earned runs to earn the Cy Young Award. Sam Yasilli won the Championship game throwing 7 strikeouts, 2 walks, and 1 earned run to make the All-Tournament team. Sayers Collins pitched a 2 hit 1 run game with 10 strikeouts and hit .429 to make the All-Tournament team. 
Originally named the Legacy Wood Bat Classic, the tournament has been a tradition at Legacy for the past 17 years. The tournament was renamed the Matt Clark Classic to honor Matt, a graduate of the LCA Class of 2009. During his time at Legacy, he was active in football, baseball, basketball, and track. Matt was a senior at Baylor and was a senior on a pre-med/pre-dental track when he tragically died as a result of an automobile accident. Head baseball coach Andrew Embry said, “We chose to name our tournament after Matthew because he was a great example of what we want to accomplish through playing baseball at Legacy.”
The Legacy Varsity Baseball team were the proud winners of the 2019 Matt Clark Classic. Standing alongside the team on the left is Coach Andrew Embry together with Mark and Sandra Clark, Matt's parents.
Matt's parents, Sandra and Mark Clark, are present at the tournament and proudly present the championship trophy every year. Mark Clark, Matt‘s father, shared, “A number of years ago, when LCA was entering the state playoffs, Coach Embry had the team exchange baseballs with words of encouragement with their dads. Matt‘s ball reads: ‘Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven, Matt 5:14-16.' Although Matt is no longer walking this earth, it is our prayer that through his memory and his deeds, that his light never ceases in bringing praises to his heavenly Father, who is the One true source of such works. Our family remains forever grateful to our Legacy family for remembering him with this tournament.”
I love playing in this tournament to honor Matt Clark’s legacy that he built at our school. After the outcome of this tournament, I am excited to see what our team can do down the stretch of the season.
The team played well all weekend in difficult conditions. Pitching, timely hitting, and good defense will put us in position to win many games. Winning the Matt Clark Classic always helps, as our district schedule draws near.
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