By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Los Fresnos pitcher Nick Montemayor just wanted a chance to play baseball.
Montemayor will get the opportunity to continue his baseball career after he signed an agreement Wednesday to play for Texas A&M International University, an NCAA Division II school in Laredo, during a ceremony at Los Fresnos.
The senior right-hander will be a preferred walk-on with a chance to earn a scholarship after his freshman campaign.
“It feels amazing. It’s a blessing to continue my baseball career at the next level,” Montemayor said. “It’s been something I always wanted to do since I was little.”
Montemayor helped the Falcons win 25 games, including an 11-3 mark in District 32-6A and a runner-up finish and advance to the area round of the playoffs. He was 9-3 overall with a 1.58 ERA on the mound. All three losses came via one-run decisions for the Falcons.
The right-hander was 5-0 with a 1.40 ERA during district play with five complete games, including two shutouts. Montemayor pitched 35 innings in district, allowed 11 runs (seven earned), 32 hits — none of them extra base hits — walked six and struck out 31.
“It tops off the great season we had at Los Fresnos,” Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales said. “(Nick) carried us. He had a great season and Laredo is getting a great pitcher. He did really well for us, without him, we wouldn’t have been where we were.”
The Dustdevils had a tough season this year and were looking for pitching help, especially with the graduation of two pitchers from their roster. Montemayor fit their need and was drawn to the school because of the coaching staff. He said he’s eager to help improve the team’s record any way he could.
“They didn’t have a good season (last year),” Montemayor said. “I hope we can turn that around next year.”
Montemayor plans to study marine biology at Texas A&M International while hopefully earning a baseball scholarship for his sophomore season.
With Montemayor’s departure, Los Fresnos loses its best pitcher and one of its leaders. Montemayor helped guide a young Falcons pitching staff this season and his presence will be missed next season, Morales said.
The coach said that Montemayor’s experience in District 32-6A will send him to the collegiate level prepared to handle the improved level of competition.
“He’ll pitch with a lot of confidence,” Morales said. “Mentally he’s ready to go, he knows what it takes to get there. He’s going to help that program a bunch.
“I’m going to miss him and I wish him the best of luck.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.