2015 — Earned playing time in 39 games and logged 27 starts — all at shortstop...earned his first start in the Paladins’ fifth game (vs. Xavier, 1-0 win)...delivered a quality bat in the early going, hitting .318 (14x44, 9 RBI) over the first 15 games...belted his first career home run, part of a 2-for-5, RBI performance, and made a diving, two-out catch on a soft line drive in short left field to preserve a 4-4, 10th inning tie against 22nd-ranked Indiana, which Furman beat, 5-4, with a run in the bottom of the 12th...doubled and drove in a run in a 3-for-4 performance versus Maryland-Eastern Shore (5-1 win)...delivered a two-run double in a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Marist to complete a three-game series sweep...went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Furman’s 11-9 win over Michigan State at Fluor Field...two-run double came in 10-hit, 10-run Paladin third inning — the most productive frame by Furman since 2013...finished the season fielding at a .931 clip.
2014 — Saw action in 13 games and earned three starts, including two at shortstop and one at third base...hit .214 (3x14)...first start at shortstop came against North Carolina Central (3-2, 10-inning loss) and second registered versus Davidson (10-5 loss)...got the start at third (1x2, SB) versus Western Carolina (5-4 loss)...delivered an RBI single in 13-1 victory over USC Upstate at Fluor Field...handled 15 chances in the field without error.
2013 — Earned playing time in 19 games and registered five starts, four which came at shortstop and one at second base...batted .158 (3x19) and scored two runs...singled in his first collegiate plate appearance (first start) against Gardner-Webb (6-1 loss)...went 1-for-4 in a start versus Wofford (13-3 win).
High School: 2012 graduate of New Bern (4A) High School, where he was a teammate of former Paladin pitcher Matt Solter...baseball coach was Gary Smith...played shortstop...three-time all-conference and Sun Journal All-Area selection during his prep career...hit .421, posted a .637 on base percentage, stole 21 of 23 bases, and fielded at a .995 clip with only one error his senior year in helping New Bern to a third round state playoff appearance...served as team captain...rated among top five shortstops in North Carolina by Rivals...batted .475 junior year and topped New Bern in six categories, including a team best .983 fielding clip...team ranked as high as fifth in the state and advanced to third round of state playoffs during the 2011 campaign...played two seasons of summer ball with the Carolina Cubs showcase team.
Personal: Full name is Mattthew Grant Towarnicky...born May 24, 1993, in New Bern, North Carolina...son of Dr. Michael and Laura Towarnicky...brother, David, was an All-SoCon performer and two-time ESPN Academic All-America selection at Appalachian State (2008-10)...politicial science major.
