Prokopwicz aims to end Hofstra baseball career as a winner

Courtesy Hofstra Athletic Communications

The heralded Hofstra baseball career of Matt Prokopwicz will come to a close tomorrow and the Massapequa, N.Y. native is doing his best to end his college playing days on a high note. In a heartbreaking 15-14 10 inning loss to Old Dominion Saturday Prokopwicz showed why he has been one of Hofstra’s all-time great hitters and why professional baseball is likely in his future going 5-for-6 with three RBIs and home run.

“I want to go out with a bang,” said Prokopwicz, who enters his final game as a senior hitting .429 with six home runs. “Today coming out and getting five hits, that is how I want people to remember me as.”

Prokopwicz and Hofstra will try and end 2010 on a winning note against Old Dominion tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. Hofstra (20-27-1, 10-13 in Colonial Athletic Association) has exceeded expectations in 2010 and remained in contention until nearly the very end for one of only four conference playoff spots available.

“I want to go out winning,” said Prokopwicz, who as a freshman in 2007 captured the CAA Rookie of the Year award after hitting .416. “[Winning the last game] means everything to me.”

After tomorrow’s season finale Prokopwicz’s attention will turn to trying to play the sport he loves professionally but his days at Hofstra will always have a special place in his heart. “I’ve developed very strong relationships with the guys on this team this year and in years past,” he said. “It just means the world to me playing here.”