Newsday Athlete of the Week is Riverhead's Matthew Zambriski

Matthew Zambriski knew he had to build up his confidence to reach the next level for the Riverhead baseball team.

"The way he's controlling his emotions on the field is impressive to me," coach Kevin Kerman said. "Just thinking back to middle school and the way he would get upset with himself when he was younger, but now he's able to turn the page and move forward."

"Going from last year, I wasn't confident at all, but I gained a lot of mental strength in the offseason," Zambriski said. "I knew to advance in the game, I had to be mentally strong, so I prioritized it."

His confidence put him in the record books on Tuesday afternoon. Zambriski became the first player to throw a perfect game for Riverhead, retiring all 21 batters with 16 strikeouts in seven innings on 75 pitches, 65 of which were strikes to lead the Blue Waves in a historic 22-0 victory against Central Islip. He also went 2-for-4 with a double and five RBIs.

"When I found out, I was like 'no way,''' Zambriski said. "There's been some really good pitchers to come out of Riverhead, so it's amazing to know I'm going to be part of the school for a while is pretty sick."

Kerman recalled being on the other side of a perfect game, so being on the winning side made the victory extra sweet.

"He was just so efficient," Kerman said. "It's extremely impressive to have a game like that as a sophomore."

Zambriski caught a pop-up in the infield in the game's final play, securing the win and making him Newsday Athlete of the Week.

"I was thinking to myself, 'Don't hit him, Don't hit him,' " Zambriski said. "He jammed one up, and I felt immediate relief."

The 6-4 righthander clocked in an 87-mph fastball, which he used for most of the game. But his confidence wasn't just in his fastball. It was also in his teammates, whom he credited for his performance on the mound.

"I kept attacking with the fastball, and that was working, and even if it wasn't, I knew my guys got my back," Zambriski said. "My shortstop Cam Wallace made two great plays, and my catcher Brady Hubbard and I had great communication."

"When he struck out the side in the first inning, I said, 'Oh my God, I think he's going to do something special today,' " Wallace said, "Seeing something like that, I am going to hold near and dear to my heart forever."

Wallace and Kerman raved about Zambriski and how he carries himself as an athlete and a person.

"He's not just a baseball player. He's a tremendous human being, which we've been preaching about in this program for a long time," Kerman said. "It's truly a pleasure to have him around."

"He's a great player, and he's an even better person," Wallace said. "He's one of the most humble kids I know. Even though we are two grades apart, I consider him one of my closest friends."

Zambriski and the Blue Waves are currently on a nine-game win streak and have their eyes set on making the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

"This is a really fun team to be a part of," Zambriski said. "We have grown a lot as a team and as teammates. I think it's one of the more important strides we've taken."

By Jonathan Ruban

jonathan.ruban@newsday.com

Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.