EAST STROUDSBURG – After returning from Tommy John surgery midway through the 2021 season, former East Stroudsburg University RHP Matt Festa grinded his way back to the MLB as the Staten Island native was a member of the Seattle Mariners roster for the 2022 season starting from Opening Day. 

Festa played a key role in the Mariners’ bullpen all year, or better known by their fanbase as Los Bomberos - The Firefighters, a nickname that debuted back in late August. 

Making 53 appearances in the regular season, Festa finished with a 2-0 record, a pair of saves and recorded a 4.17 ERA as well as 64 strikeouts across 54.0 innings of work.

In his 50th career appearance on July 11, Festa collected his first MLB victory after firing a 1-2-3 8th inning, which included a strikeout against Lourdes Gurriel Jr and a pair of groundball outs.

On July 16th, Festa notched his first career save as he struck out the side in the bottom of the 10th inning against the Texas Rangers. 

In Festa's Yankee Stadium debut on August 1, the Staten Island Native retired five consecutive former MLB All-Stars in Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, Josh Donaldson and Andrew Benintendi.

Festa’s Mariners earned the second Wild Card in the American League with a 90-72 record, ultimately defeating the Toronto Blue Jays, 2-0, in the three-game series. In game two, Festa pitched 1.1 innings of relief to help Seattle advance to the Divisional Round.

In an 18-inning elimination game against the Houston Astros, Festa pitched a scoreless 14th and 15th frames, which included punching out Millersville’s Cas McCormick while throwing 16 of his 17 pitches for strikes.