La Feria’s Montalvo switches commitments, decides to play baseball at McPherson College

By BILLY WATSON
LFN

La Feria right-handed pitcher and infielder Ethan Montalvo had verbally committed to Gardner-Webb University amid the coronavirus pandemic, but he did not want to make an official announcement until the pandemic was over.

However, time took its course and Montalvo decided to go in another direction, with the best decision in mind for him and his family.

With that said, Montalvo changed his mind and signed his letter of intent to play baseball at McPherson College in Kansas last month at his home in La Feria. He joins classmate and future fellow Bulldog Evan Avila, who will be playing football.

“I’m very happy to be playing at the next level,” Montalvo said. “It’s been a dream of mine since I got to love the sport of baseball. So to make my family proud and to do what I love is such a dream come true.”

Montalvo made the switch-commitment from Gardner-Webb to McPherson in late May with his best interests in mind and what he saw in the Bulldog program.

“The recruiting process to recommit from Gardner-Webb to McPherson was definitely a hard choice,” Montalvo said. “Both ball clubs are amazing, but getting to know more about the coaches and players at McPherson helped with the decision a lot.”

What really got Montalvo to make the decision to choose McPherson was the history and achievements by the Bulldog program.

“I was talking with the coaches from McPherson, and during their explanation of what the school consisted of and the achievements of the team, I liked everything that was being said,” Montalvo said. “They had my choice of major and a program with the occupation I want to pursue in (as well).”

Montalvo started playing baseball when he was 5 years old and growing up, he floated around playing travel-ball with teams such as Halo, ABC Force, Banditos, and the South Texas Sliders. It was during tournaments and showcases where Montalvo started to get noticed and that helped him get some offers, including one from McPherson. It also helped he was the District 32-4A Defensive Player of the Year during his sophomore year.

Like many baseball players, his senior year was cut short, but Montalvo, like few, will get a chance to play at the next level.

“Having my senior season cut was definitely heartbreaking,” Montalvo said.

“Not getting to finish up this last year with some of my best friends was a hard fact to face, but getting to continue playing is something I’ve been looking forward to.”