July 21, 1999

Villanova, Pa.--- Villanova University second baseman Matt Longo is currently spending his summer as a member of the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League in Wareham, Mass. As a freshman at Villanova in 1998, Longo was the starting rightfielder for the Wildcats and earned Big East Conference second team and All-Rookie Team honors, as well as Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America distinction. This past season as a sophomore, he made the move to second base where he earned All-Big East first team status. Longo was forced to make a move once again this summer. This time the move was to third base. He has made the move look effortless, however, proving to be one of the league's top fielding third basemen.

In 30 games for the Gatemen at third base this summer, Longo has made only two errors. He began the season slowly at the plate, but has picked his average up to .235 with a second half hot streak. In 81 at-bats for Wareham, Longo has 19 hits, 13 runs and eight RBI. In addition, he has walked 24 times and struck out only 14 times.

At Villanova this past Spring, Longo earned a reputation as one of the conference's best, with his stellar play both at the plate and in the field. He finished the season with a .361 batting average, 64 runs scored, 16 doubles, nine home runs and 57 RBI in 54 games.

Longo hails from Hammonton, N.J., where he attended Hammonton High School.