Matt Crane is in his 10th season on the Alabama State baseball staff, his fifth as an assistant coach under head coach Jose Vazquez. Among his responsibilities, Crane is in charge of the Hornets’ pitching staff, scheduled and serves as director of all Alabama State Baseball Camps.
He helped produce four consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference Pitchers of the Year winners, and five overall, in T.J. Renda (2013), Joseph Camacho (2014, 2015, 2016) and Darren Kelly (2019). Over his eight seasons, Crane has tutored eight pitchers that have gone on to play professional baseball including Dexter Price (2013, Arizona Diamondbacks, FA), Armando Ruiz (2015, Oakland A’s, 29th Round), Jorge Pantoja (2015, Washington Nationals, 30th round), Michael Estevez (2015, Toronto Blue Jays, FA), Angel Alicea (2016, Toronto Blue Jays, 20th Round), Joseph Camacho (2016, Oakland A’s, FA), Austin Bizzle (2017, Minnesota Twins, 40th Round) and Tyler Howe (2017, Detroit Tigers, FA).
He also helped coach Ricardo Rivera, the 2019 SWAC Freshman of the Year, who finished the regular season 6-0 in conference play.
In shortened 2019 season, Jacknell Guzman led the nation in complete games under the tutelage of Crane.
Under Crane, Alabama State has ranked in the top three in the SWAC in earned run average and first in strikeouts for five consecutive seasons. Â
Despite a staff of eight true freshmen and only two upper classmen in 2012, the Hornets ranked fourth in ERA at 5.02 and were third in strikeouts with 350. In 2013, Hornet pitchers were second in ERA at 4.38 and lead the SWAC with 435 strikeouts. In 2014 ASU’s ERA improved to 4.25 (3rd in SWAC) while once again leading the league in strikeouts (373). In 2016, the Hornets were again third in the league in ERA (4.87), and were first in strikeouts (446) for the third straight year.
In 2016, it would be the best year on the mound for the Hornets under Crane. They led the league in nearly every pitching category including ERA (3.82) and strikeouts (481). Last season, the Hornets led in nearly every pitching category for the fifth straight season.
In 2017, Crane has tutored fifth straight SWAC Conference Pitcher of the Years and several First Team All-SWAC Performers including Joseph Camacho (SWAC Pitcher of the Year 3 Times, 2014,2015,2016; First Team All-SWAC Starting Pitcher 3 Times, 2014, 2015, 2016; 2016 Louisville Slugger Pre-Season All-American Third Team; 2016 Louisville Slugger All-American Third Team; 2016 National College Baseball Writers Association Second Team-All American; 2015 American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings South Central All-Region Second Team), Tyler Howe (SWAC Pitcher of the Year, 2017; First Team All-SWAC, 2017; 2016 First Team All-SWAC Starting Pitcher; 2016 SWAC All-Tournament Team; 2016 8th in the Nation for ERA), T.J. Renda (2013 SWAC Conference Pitcher of the Year, 2013 First Team All-SWAC Starting Pitcher, 2014 Second Team All-SWAC Starting Pitcher) and Austin Bizzle (2017 SWAC Relief Pitcher of the Year, 2017 All-SWAC performer).
Meanwhile, in 2018 he coached Darrius Wright to all-SWAC honors; and in 2019 helped Darren Kelly to the Pitcher of the Year honor while also leading the nation in WHIP for several weeks.
Crane started his coaching career at Bethune-Cookman University in 2010 as a Student-Assistant Coach and as the Volunteer Assistant Coach in 2011. He had a successful two-year stint as a pitcher in the Wildcats’ program and was a part of two MEAC Championship teams and two NCAA Tournament appearances.Â
Crane transferred to B-CU after playing two seasons at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan. He helped the Bruins to a runner-up finish in the NJCAA Division II World Series in 2007 as a starter and reliever.
Crane a native of Flint, Michigan, now resides in Montgomery with his wife Ashley.
Â
