?Matt is a hard-nosed kid who enjoys being around the game,? Childress said. ?This season, we will try to put some weight on him and help him develop into someone who will be a factor for us down the road.?

North Platte High School
Although his high school did not sponsor baseball, McMurtry starred for his American Legion squad the past two summers for coach Ryan Jones. McMurtry enjoyed a superb 2001 season, batting .403, while leading the team in hits (73), doubles (9), runs scored (65), triples (4) and homers (3), while stealing 28 bases. On the hill, he was equally impressive, compiling a 6-6 mark and a 1.97 ERA in 85.1 innings, throwing 12 complete games. He struck out 121 and walked just 37 batters. As a junior, he was 4-6 with a 1.98 ERA, throwing seven complete games, including a pair of no-hitters. He also batted .324 with 14 steals. An excellent all-around athlete, he earned honorable-mention all-state honors in football and basketball at NPHS. McMurtry, who selected Nebraska over the Air Force Academy and Blinn Junior College, comes from an athletic family, as both of his parents were collegiate athletes, while all three older siblings played Division I baseball or softball. His father played football at Dana College, while his mother played volleyball at Mid Plains Community College. His older brother Danny pitches at Louisiana-Lafayette, while older sisters Jamie and Becky played softball at Creighton and Illinois State, respectively.