Story By Jason Bowen
Camden Matthews’ college baseball journey will continue.
The 2021 Scottsboro alum, who played two seasons at Marion Military Institute and then Miles College, received another year of college eligibility thanks a court ruling last fall that granted former junior college athletes an extra year of eligibility if they play at the NCAA’s Division I level.
Matthews would not have been able to continue playing at Division II Miles, and after entering the transfer portal, committed to Alabama State University May 29.
“ASU felt like the right choice from the beginning,” Matthews said. “The coaching staff showed that they really wanted me and their vision for the program matched what I was looking for, somewhere I could compete for a championship and grow as a player and person. They also have a PT (physical therapy) program which is what I want to go into after baseball. That was another big reason. Their facilities and track record stood out. ASU was the place where I felt the most wanted and where I could see myself thriving both on and off the field.”
Matthews chose Alabama State over interest from Radford, Tennessee Tech, Kansas, Alabama A&M at Charleston Southern.
“I’ve put so much into this game, and to know I have another opportunity to play at a high level like this and play against some SEC schools I grew up watching is a blessing and dream come true,” he said. “I’ve grown a lot as a player and a person and being able to keep competing is something I’ll never take for granted. I’m grateful for everyone who helped make it possible.”
Matthews started his college baseball career by playing two seasons at Marion Military Institute before playing the past two seasons at Miles College in Birmingham.
In both seasons at Miles, Matthews was a first-team All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection and was the SIAC Relief Pitcher of the Year.
This past season, Matthews posted a 4-0 record with nine saves and a 3.38 ERA (2.20 in conference play) in 19 appearances on the mound. He recorded 53 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched while also doubling as an infielder and batting .333 (36-for-108) with 10 doubles, five home runs and 27 RBIs. Matthews was named Division II All-South Region second-team by the National College Baseball Writers Association and was a 2025 Small School Division Black College Nines Elites first-team selection.
“Miles shaped me in a lot of ways. I really feel like I continued to grow as a player and person there and is a big reason I am where I am today,” Matthews said. “I will also take away the relationships built there with teammates and coaches — that bond is special and they are like brothers to me now.”
