Head coach Tim Corbin on Polk: “Polky is a fixture in our facility. Wants to be around the game of baseball all the time. Outstanding worker. Only knows one speed…great motor and energy for learning and playing the game. Where he has matured greatly is the classroom. Second year in a row, that he has shown up on the Dean’s List. It’s very easy to see the carry over that has taken place from classroom to field. Matt can play all over the field…he can go get the ball in the outfield and also play in the infield. He is a dynamic and powerful kid…fun to watch.”
As a Junior (2024)
• Two RBI in win over Florida at SEC Tournament (May 21)
• Went 3-for-4 with a double and scored four times at #2 Kentucky (May 18)
• 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI at Lipscomb (April 16)
• Homered and doubled, driving in two runs at South Carolina (March 23)
• Went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored vs. Indiana (March 12
• Hit first home run on the season at Minute Maid Park vs. Houston (March 2)
As a Sophomore (2023)
• Doubled twice in series finale vs. Kentucky (April 30) and scored winning run in ninth inning
• Homered in win at Missouri (April 6)
• Drove in three runs in win vs. Georgia (April 1)
• 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in 12-2 win vs. #3 Ole Miss (March 16)
• Scored three times vs. Austin Peay (Feb. 28)
• Two-run homer in win over UAB (Feb. 22)
• Three-run triple in win over #9 Oklahoma State (Feb. 18)
As a Freshman (2022)
• First collegiate home run at Kentucky (April 23)
• Two hits and two runs scored at Kentucky (April 22)
• Singled in his first collegiate at-bat against Army (Feb. 26)
The Polk File
• Attended Orange Lutheran (Long Beach, Calif.)
• The No. 13 overall prospect in the state of California according to Perfect Game
• Rated the seventh-best shortstop in California
• 2021 Perfect Game Preseason All-America
• 2019 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-America
• Perfect Game Top 150 National Rank (No. 109)
• Batted .375 as a senior, adding nine doubles, one triple, three home runs, 26 RBI and 37 runs scored
• Owned a .511 on-base percentage in his final prep season
• Helped lead Orange Lutheran to a 30-6 record in 2021, marking the most wins in school history
• Four-year member of the honor roll
• Son of Martha Garcia and Michael Polk
• Has one brother, Michael
• Four-year member of the honor roll
• Brother, Michael, is a member of the Princeton football team (2019-pres.)
• Enjoys playing video games
• Full name is Matthew James Polk
• Major is undeclared