CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Few baseball players across Tennessee had the impact Montgomery Central pitcher Matthew Heimpel made this season. The right-hander capped off his senior year undefeated on the mound, earning Class 3A All-State honors from the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.
Heimpel was a consistent piece for the Indians throughout his four years at Montgomery Central, but his senior season reached another level. He finished 7-0 with a 0.83 ERA and 55 strikeouts, cementing himself as one of Tennessee’s top pitchers. That jump in production, Heimpel said, came from a change in his mentality on the mound.
“My mentality definitely changed a lot. It’s probably what helped me the most,” Heimpel told Clarksville Now. “I used to tell myself I needed to be the most aggressive person out there. Then, around the fall of my senior year, I completely changed that. I started telling myself I needed to be the calmest person on the field.”
That poise made Heimpel nearly untouchable throughout the season. He helped lead the Indians to the District 11-3A regular-season championship, and opposing hitters throughout the district are likely glad to see him graduate. Along with his new mindset, Heimpel said representing one of Montgomery County’s more overlooked programs motivated him throughout his career.
“It kind of fuels me when people ask, ‘Where is Montgomery Central?’ and say they’ve never heard of that school. It kind of feels good,” Heimpel said. “Coach Dunn has been there a long time, but he definitely knows what he’s doing. I think that’s why he’s been there so long.”
Now, the All-State pitcher is preparing for the next chapter of his baseball career. Heimpel will remain in Tennessee, where he is committed to play at Jackson State Community College beginning next spring.
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