Kalamazoo College Athletics

Matt Ellenbest joined the Kalamazoo College baseball coaching staff as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator on Sept. 1, 2021.

Ellenbest came to Kalamazoo from Saginaw Valley State University where he served as the pitching coach the past three seasons. The Cardinals finished the 2021 season 17-17 overall, with Ellenbest coaching third baseman/pitcher Hayden Jatczak to GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors. Ellenbest also coached pitcher Kendall Anthes to All-GLIAC Second Team honors. In 2019, the Cardinals were fourth in the GLIAC with 344 strikeouts while advancing to the GLIAC Championship game after finishing 21-29-1 overall. Third baseman/pitcher Jordan Swiss earned All-GLIAC Second Team honors.

Ellenbest previously coached at Kaskaskia College, a D1 Junior College in southern Illinois, helping send five pitchers and six position players on to play at four-year universities. The Blue Devils advanced to the Regional Championship game in his only year with the team.

Ellenbest also spent two summers as a pitching coach for the Green Bay Bulldogs in the Northwoods League, a summer collegiate baseball league. He worked with players from all over the country while coaching with Chris Sabo, former Major League Baseball 1990 Rookie of the Year (Cincinnati Reds).

Originally from Medina, Ohio, Ellenbest played one year at Wabash Valley Junior College before transferring to Morehead State University to finish his career and earn his degree. At MSU, Ellenbest made 24 appearances, all in relief, with a 2-2 record and a 5.02 ERA. He struck out 19 batters in 37.2 innings while also recording two saves, including one in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament opening round. Ellenbest was a member of the 2015 OVC Tournament Championship team. 

Matt’s brother, Michael Ellenbest, played baseball for three years at Saginaw Valley State. The 2015 GLIAC Freshman of the Year was drafted in 2016 and is currently in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.