Matthew Shirah, Gabe Buchanan, Carson Beavers, Blake Rogers, and Hunter Gray commit to play college baseball

Congratulations to Matthew Shirah for signing a letter of intent to play college baseball for the Naval Academy next year. Shirah is a senior at Fannin County High School who has been playing the sport for as long as he can remember.

It was a unique and exciting day as not only Matthew was signing, but also four of his other teammates. Family and friends from all over came to celebrate the Rebel’s big day. Head coach of the Fannin Rebel Baseball team started off the signing ceremony thanking the parents and teachers of the players for shaping them into the fine young men that they have become. He followed his statement  with, “This is not something that happens overnight. Great baseball players are shaped over the years from rec ball games, travel ball tournaments, and school games that you parents gave up your time to be at. These five young men had a goal and they have worked so hard to achieve this next chapter of their life. These men are going to do great things. They are going to come back and be a great part of a community wherever they decide to land and that speaks to their character. They have been all in since day one and I’m so greatful to have shared part of this journey with them.”

Fannin Rebels with their former travel ball coach

Shirah has played on the varsity baseball team for the high school since his freshman year and for a travel team even longer. The athlete has received many awards for his great performance which include; Perfect Game All Tournament Team 2015 East Cobb Invitational, Perfect Game All Tournament Team 2017 WWBA 2019 Grads National Championship, Showcase Top Prospect Team 2017 National Underclass Showcase Main Event, Perfect Game All Tournament Team 2017 18U Summer Showdown, Perfect Game All Tournament Team 2017 Elite Underclass Championship, Perfect Game All Tournament Team 2017, All Region Second Team 7-AAA – 2018, Perfect Game All Tournament Team 2018 17U East Cobb Invitational, Perfect Game All Tournament Team 2018 WWBA 2019 Grads National Championship Qualifier, Perfect Game All Tournament Team 2018 WWBA 2020 Grads or 16U National Championship Perfect Game – Preseason Underclass All-American Honorable Mention 2018,  All Region 7-AAA – 2019, All State – Georgia AAA – 2019, Top Scholar Athlete Award FCHS Varsity Baseball– 2019, Best Defensive Player of the Year 2019 – FCHS, Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American Honorable Mention 2019, Perfect Game Fast Ball 85 mph Plus Award July 18, 2019, Top Ten First Baseman Velocity 2017 National Underclass Showcase Main Event, and Perfect Game All Tournament Team 2017 World Wood Bat Association (WWBA) 2019 Grads National Qualifier.

Shirah family with Matthew’s coaches over the years

Not only does the athlete excel on the field, but also in the classroom. The scholar is ranked number one in his class out of 235 students, he is a member in TSA, and participates in the school’s academic team. His freshman year he earned awards for Honors Biology, Honors Literature, and Engineering I. Shirah’s sophomore year he received awards for Honors Chemistry, AP World History, and ADW World History. The student added more awards to his collection his junior year by earning awards in AP US History, ADW US History, Honors Algebra II, and Engineering III. Shirah has even more success outside of the classroom. He has also received the Hugh O’Brien Leadership Award, National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists Award of Excellence, University of Georgia Certificate of Merit 2019, Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, DUKE TIP, National Honor Society member, National Technical Honor Society Member, selected to be part of the Junior Board, and has upheld perfect attendance for his whole high school career.

“Ever since my eighth grade year when I started playing baseball for the high school, I always felt like I belonged to a family. Under Coach Ayers, Coach Stone, and Coach Cline our varsity team improved every year culminating in our Elite 8 appearance and Region Championship last year. The guys on the team and our coaches are unlike any others, and I wouldn’t want to play alongside anyone else. I will remember my teammates and coaches at Fannin County High School for the rest of my life. I am looking forward to being a pitcher at the Naval Academy under Coach Kosty who has achieved 900 wins at the Division 1 level for the next phase of my academic and athletic career. Coach Applegate is a great pitching coach that can help me improve my game and be successful at the next level. The Naval Academy baseball program has been successful in the past few years winning the Patriot League Regular Season title for five straight years, and I can’t wait to be part of their promosing future. Playing baseball at the Naval Academy allows me to be a part of a strong brotherhood and represent the United States of America on the baseball field as well as in the Armed Forces after following my graduation,” Shirah shared with the Team FYN Sports team. Good luck to Matthew in all of his future endeavors!