Tag: Matthew Calrson

by Mike Pavlichko

Spotswood’s 2nd annual E4M Showcase features top-notch squads to raise money for scholarship in memory of former teammate Matthew Carlson

None of the members of the Spotswood baseball team played in high school with Matthew Carlson, but they all know his name, and pay tribute to him every home game by going out to touch third base – his position – after they break their team huddle.

On Saturday, they will honor him again – and raise money for a scholarship that goes to an SHS student in his name – as part of the second annual E4M Showcase at the place Charger fans affectionately call “The Swamp.”

“E4M” means “Everything for Matt.” Carlson was just 16 years old when he was tragically killed in an ATV crash down in Georgia on Thanksgiving in 2022. A sophomore at the time, he had already lettered in baseball, and also played basketball. Steve Mate’s Chargers put his jersey on the end of the bench at every home game that season.

Carlson would have graduated last year.

Matthew Carlson’s No. 20 jersey sits at the end of the bench in his memory. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)

The event is a jumping off point to raise money for a scholarship that’s given out to a Spotswood High School senior. Donations can be made through Venmo to the account @E4Mscholarshipfund.

And the event is a pretty good one, too.

In the 10 am opener, Spotswood (8-9) will look to get back to .500 after taking a 6-0 loss at the hands of Brearley Friday when they host another Union County school, Jonathan Dayton (5-10) out of Springfield.

The 1 pm game will feature Mainland (10-3) out of the Cape-Atlantic League taking on St. Peter’s Prep (11-6) out of Jersey City, while the 4 pm finale will feature No. 1 Immaculata (11-3) taking on 8th-ranked Old Bridge (9-7).

Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko talk with Spotswood head coach Glenny Fredricks: