Before JMU:

• Played for Jody Rutherford at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke Va.
• Varsity letter winner in baseball his last three years of high school with the Bruins
• As a senior was named All-Patriot District Pitcher of the Year, All-Region Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-Met, Honorable Mention All-State and started for the West team in the VHSCA Senior All-Star game
• Led his team to the 2012 AAA State Championship and District title
• As a junior went 8-1 with a 2.09 ERA, struck out 48 in 53 2/3 innings with 15 walks and surrendered just 13 extra-base hits
• First Team All-District, Second Team All-Region, honorable mention All-Met and played in the Virginia Commonwealth games as a junior
• Led his team to the 2010 District Championship
• Played club baseball for the Orioles Scout Team
• As a member of his club team, the Barnstormers, captured 2010 world series championship and played in the World Wood Bat Association (WWBA) World Championship game

Personal:

• Son of Carol and Dennis Church
• Majoring in computer science
• Hopes to continue playing baseball after school or pursue a job in computer science
• Enjoys weight lifting, working out, football, basketball and fishing

Getting to know Michael...

Why did you choose JMU
Good baseball program and amazing school overall

What's your current major:
Computer science

If you didn't play baseball what other sport would you want to play
Football

Describe yourself in three words
Confident, funny,talkative

Favorite personal baseball memory
Receiving the All Region Pitcher of the Year award

Best advice you were ever given
Don't show emotions on the mound, batters feed off of that

Favorite part of being on a team
Being around a cool group of friends all the time, competing with each other, and winning games together

Personal saying or motto you try to live by
Push yourself to be the best

"People would be surprised to know that I..."
Don't like beaches

Biggest pet peeve
When someone starts to say something and then says "nevermind"

Your Go-To outfit
Black and grey flannel, khaki shorts, long black socks, gray Vans

Favorite place to eat on campus
Market One

Biggest fear
Needles

Favorite Quote
"With God all things are possible"

What do you enjoy doing other than playing baseball
Football, basketball, fishing, hanging out with friends, and working out

Last movie you watched
21 Jumpstreet

"After college I see myself..."
In the minor leagues

Pick One:
Baseball in the hot or cold weather: hot
Early bird or night owl: night owl
Pepsi or Coke: Coke
Vanilla or Chocolate: vanilla
Gray, White, Gold, or Purple uniform: gold

Team Tell-All:                                                                                  
Most/Least Swag: Most-Johnny Bladel Least-Luke Munson
Funniest: Michael Howerton
Hardest Worker: Michael Church
Most Serious: Brad Shaban
Most likely to fall asleep on the bus: Matt dewitt
Most likely to be eating: Chris Huffman
Best nickname on the team: Patrick Toohers "Toowey"