Matthew Blanchard, who is number 24 for the Copperheads is a fantastic example of what the Copperheads have been representing all season long. Whether it’s engaging with fans at the games, participating in community events, winning the Copperheads games, or helping with promotional pictures during media day

Blanchard has been there for it all. 

Blanchard has had a top-notch season on the field as he was named to the GLSCL All-Star Game. He has been putting on a show every time he's up on the mound which is why he got selected to the game. He has 14 strikeouts, 3 wins and 0 loses with an ERA of 4.88. Blanchard commented on what it was like to make an All-Star Game and said, “It was an amazing feeling, it felt like a year’s worth of hard work through some struggles finally paid off.” 

Blanchard is very passionate about the Copperheads as an organization since he grew up in the area. “It [Copperheads] mean a lot to me for a couple of reasons. I have been 3 hours away from home at both schools that I’ve been at, so being able to pitch close to home in front of family and friends is awesome. Also knowing what the Copperheads mean to Athens County, Meigs County, and surrounding areas means a lot.” He has been very engaged in the team and community since he moved in on June 1st. 

Blanchard grew up in Reedsville which is about 25 minutes away from Athens. He knew what the Copperheads were when growing up, and even went to games as a kid. He was asked what it was like growing up in the area and being able to play for a hometown team and he said, “It was always a cool experience as a kid [visiting Copperhead games] because you feel like you’re watching big leaguers play, and seeing kids just like myself thinking that some of them one day could be a copperhead.” 

Blanchard has made a name for himself in the area and has started to grow a fan base around him, he responded to this with, “It truly is awesome to have a ton of people you know look up to you, it feels good to show the small local area that I’m from that you can have success after high school sports as there aren’t always a ton of people from the area who continue their career after high school.” He has been a great role model for the kids who attend the games, and he always makes sure to engage with them by signing balls and talking to them. 

He loves the Copperheads fans and the atmosphere that they create at Bob Wren Stadium, “Thank you for being the most supportive fan base in the entire Great Lakes League!” 

By Josh Beach

The Southern Ohio Copperheads is a community-owned, student-operated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Established in 2002, the Copperheads is a summer collegiate wooden bat baseball team that competes in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League and plays its home games at Bob Wren Stadium in Athens, OH. The Copperheads organization strives to provide the most affordable means of family-friendly outdoor entertainment in southeast OH. Tickets to the Copperheads games are $5 and children under the age of 5 receive free admission. Staffed by Ohio University students, the Southern Ohio Copperheads also serve as a “learning lab” for student interns looking to work in the sport and entertainment industry.