Don’t take anything for granted.
An Okotoks Dawgs who scrapped his way to his community college team has verbally committed to a NCAA Division I team in the elite Pac-12.
“It’s been hard work,” Dawgs left fielder Josh McIntyre said. “I didn’t have any offers coming out of high school and then Everett gave me the opportunity to play.
“I ended up starting, making the All-NWAC (Northwest Athletic Conference) North, hit .310 and had a home run in the NWAC championship.
“All my life it’s been hard work.”
McIntyre, who played one season with the Everett Community College Trojans last spring, committed to the Washington State University Cougars last week. He will attend the university in Pullman in the fall.
“I didn’t even know I was on their radar,” McIntyre said of the Cougs. “I got a call one day and they said you are playing really well and I think you can help us out coming in from CC (community college) ball.”
McIntyre will be able to fill any gaps for the Cougs – or any the Dawgs may need filling.
Although McIntyre has played left field for Okotoks this season, he can step in at infield at any time during the grueling summer season.
“I have always been a utility player — I have always moved around,” McIntyre said. “I’ve played short, I’ve caught, I’ve played third. Mostly I am an outfielder now.
“I’ve taken some reps in practice at infield with the Dawgs, but I haven’t played a game in the infield.”
The Dawgs became aware of McIntyre through Okotoks head coach Tyler Graham.
Graham, who coaches with the Pac-12 Oregon State Beavers when he’s not in the Dawgs dugout, is like Lewis and Clark when he explores the Pacific Northwest for baseball talent.
“Josh brings a consistent approach to the plate — he has a great idea what he is doing up there,” Graham said. “He hits the ball hard, a clutch hitter. A guy any coach would love to have in the order.”
MyIntyre has been hitting in the three-hole for the Dawgs. Through Sunday, he was hitting .298 with seven RBI in 12 games. He also has shown some pop.
He’s feeling right at home with the Dawgs. There are plenty of familiar faces in the Okotoks dugout.
“I’ve played with Freddy (Dawgs centre fielder Daniel Fredrickson) with the Selects and I played against some of the CC guys from the Pacific Northwest,” McIntyre said. “Sam Wong actually pitched against us in the NWAC championship tournament. We beat them 2-1 and he pitched really well.
“I think I got a couple of hits off him.”
McIntyre had a GPA of over 3.60 at Cedar Park Christian High in Bothell, Wash. He plans to study in the mathematics field when he heads to the Palouse to attend WSU.
Although McIntyre will be trying to beat Graham’s Beavers next spring in the Pac-12, the skip is delighted for the hard-working outfielder.
“Anytime a kid gets an opportunity to play Div I baseball, it’s an awesome opportunity,” Graham said. “Josh is a great kid and a great baseball player. I wish him the best at Washington State.”
There have been more cougar sightings in the Dawgs dugout than at springtime in Kananaskis Country.
Shortstop Peter Hutzal has signed with Washington State University. Black Dawg outfielder Clayton Keyes, who was a recent 17th round draft choice of the Toronto Blue Jays, is pondering either going to Central Arizona College in Arizona or WSU after graduating from high school.
