Matthew Ellenbest enters his second season as an assistant coach at Saginaw Valley State University. Matt and the pitching crew saw success in the 2018-19 season throwing 344 strikeouts, good for fourth in the GLIAC.  The Cardinals ended the season with an overall record of 21-29-1 and played in the GLIAC Championship game for teh first time since 2003.  Ellenbest also coached thirdbaseman/pitcher Jordan Swiss to  All-GLIAC Second Team honors in the 2018-19 season.

Matthew comes over from Kaskaskia College, a D1 Junior College in southern Illinois and a member of the Great Rivers Athletic Conference. Matthew helped send five pitchers and six position players to play at four-year universities. Advanced to the Regional Championship Game in his only year. 

Has spent the last two summer seasons as a pitching coach for the Green Bay Bullfrogs in the Northwoods Collegiate Summer league. Has had the opportunity to work with kids from all over the country including schools like Georgia Tech, Kent State, Baylor to name a few.  Worked with former Major League 1990 Rookie of the Year Chris Sabo (Cincinnati Reds).

Matthew originally from Medina, Ohio played one year at Wabash Valley Junior College and then transferred to Morehead State University to finish his career while receiving his degree. 

While at MSU, Appeared in 24 games, all in relief ... Recorded a 2-2 mark with a 5.02 ERA ... Notched two saves, both against SIU Edwardsville ... First save came in regular season, recording a strikeout to preserve 8-7 victory ... Second save came in four inning of relief in the OVC Tournament opening round ... Tallied 19 strikeouts in 37.2 innings pitched ... Allowed seven earned runs in first four outings but then allowed just 14 more earned runs in final 19 assignments. Member of the 2015 OVC Championship team. 

Brother Michael Ellenbest was a baseball player for Saginaw Valley for three years. He was Freshman of the Year of the GLIAC in 2015 while throwing 28 scoreless innings straight. Drafted out of SVSU in 2016 and is currently in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.