SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Susquehanna University director of athletics Pam Samuelson has announced that former major league relief pitcher Matt Karchner has been appointed interim baseball coach for the 2004 season.

Karchner replaces Tim Briggs, who resigned last week after compiling a 56-92-1 record in five seasons with the Crusaders.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with Matt’s background join our staff. He brings a positive attitude and a unique knowledge of the game to the position,” said Samuelson. “We also appreciate the efforts of assistant coach Denny Bowers, who played a vital role in helping to maintain continuity during the transition period.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to begin a new phase of my baseball career here at Susquehanna,” said Karchner. “My goal is to maximize the potential of this team and contend for a spot in the conference playoffs.”

Karchner, 36, pitched six seasons in the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs from 1995 to 2000, compiling a record of 21-13 with 27 saves and a 4.21 earned run average in 223 relief appearances.

His best season came with the White Sox in 1997, when he went 3-1 with 15 saves and a 2.91 earned run average in 52 games. Karchner’s final major league appearance came on June 14, 2000 as a member of the Cubs.

A native of Berwick, Karchner is a 1989 graduate of Bloomsburg University where he was a three-time first-team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference selection. A third baseman and pitcher for the Huskies who still holds the school career records for home runs with 37 and runs batted in with 165, Karchner was inducted into the BU Athletic Hall of Fame in October, 2003.

In 1988, he led Division II in runs batted in per game with 62 in 39 games (1.59 per game), and in 1989 was named a first-team All-American and PSAC Player of the Year after hitting .435 with a school-record 14 home runs. On the mound at Bloomsburg, Karchner compiled a 13-7 record with a 2.40 earned run average with 111 strikeouts.

Karchner was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 8th round of the 1989 amateur draft, and played in the Royals’ farm system through the 1993 season. In 1994, Karchner joined the White Sox organization and made his major league debut on July 18, 1995 against the New York Yankees.

Karchner resides in Berwick with his wife, Terry, and their two children: daughter Emma (9) and son Brooks (7).