Hokie ClubMata joined the Hokies in April of 2023 and recently completed his third season with the Hokies in 2025.
The Hokies' offense has improved tremendously in the two years that Mata has been on staff. One of the best men’s fastpitch pitchers in the world, Mata regularly throws batting practice for the Hokies.
In the two seasons prior to Mata's arrival, Tech hit .313 with 166 home runs and a .533 slugging percentage. In the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the Hokies have hit .336 with 217 home runs and a .630 slugging percentage. Tech has been to the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons he has been on staff.
The Hokies had seven All-ACC selections – headlined by ACC Player of the Year Cori McMillan – in 2025. Leading the nation with 31 home runs, McMillan broke the Virginia Tech single-season home run record (31) and slugging percentage record (1.047). She is one of just nine players in Division I history to hit 31 home runs. Aditionally, six Hokies garnered NFCA All-Region honors.
Mata is a native of Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina. He has been playing with the Argentinian National Team since 2015, earning a World Cup Championship and a Pan-American Gold pitching for the national team.
During his time with Argentina, Mata has been a part of numerous International Championships, including leading Argentina in 2019 to a XVI WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup victory with a 3-2, 10-inning victory over Japan.
Mata Led the World Cup in wins (4) and tied for second in strikeouts (49) in 28.1 innings pitched. In the final, he tossed a 10-inning complete game, adding 17 strikeouts and allowing just four hits.
In 2019 and 2022, Argentina won the Pan-American Gold. Mata was the winning pitcher in the final against the United States in 2019, marking the first time in history that Argentina won the gold.
Playing for the Kitchener Hallman Twins, Mata helped the team to a second-place finish in the ISC World Tournament in 2019 and 2021. During the 2022 season, the Hallman Twins were ISC World Tournament Champions, with Mata earning First Team All-World. He was also named the Most Outstanding Pitcher at the tournament.
During the summer of 2023, Mata is playing for the Niagara Stompers, who most recently won the ISC Canada East Championship. Mata was named the top pitcher of the tournament.
During his time with Argentina, Mata has been a part of numerous International Championships, including leading Argentina in 2019 to a XVI WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup victory with a 3-2, 10-inning victory over Japan.
Mata Led the World Cup in wins (4) and tied for second in strikeouts (49) in 28.1 innings pitched. In the final, he tossed a 10-inning complete game, adding 17 strikeouts and allowing just four hits.
In 2019 and 2022, Argentina won the Pan-American Gold. Mata was the winning pitcher in the final against the United States in 2019, marking the first time in history that Argentina won the gold.
Playing for the Kitchener Hallman Twins, Mata helped the team to a second-place finish in the ISC World Tournament in 2019 and 2021. During the 2022 season, the Hallman Twins were ISC World Tournament Champions, with Mata earning First Team All-World. He was also named the Most Outstanding Pitcher at the tournament.
During the summer of 2023, Mata is playing for the Niagara Stompers, who most recently won the ISC Canada East Championship. Mata was named the top pitcher of the tournament.