Devin Fox had narrowed his college baseball search to a couple of schools.
Shortly after the final home game of Foxs illustrious Montezuma-Cortez High School career, the shortstop made a decision.
The Panther will become a Rattler at Otero Junior College in La Junta.
Me and my dad left to do a campus visit, and I just fell in love with the campus. The campus is beautiful, Fox said. I got a couple friends there. I love the coaches. I love the way they play baseball. They made me an offer. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to sign.
At the time of the visit, Fox was hitting .393 for the Panthers with 14 Runs Batted In. He was a three-year varsity starter at M-CHS and second-year coach Sam Perry couldnt be happier for his shortstop.
He deserves it, Perry said. The work that hes put in along with the ability that he has, I think Otero will be a great fit for him. I just think its a wonderful opportunity for any young man to be able to play the game of baseball at the next level. Its going to be an unbelievable experience thats going to benefit him for a lifetime. I cant wait to be able to go over there and watch him play.
Fox also saw time pitching this year, recording two wins on the mound. Rattlers coach Chris Carillo recruited Fox to play middle infield, giving the soon-to-be-freshman a chance to earn playing time right away.
He just put it out about how it was going to be. I really like that, Fox said about Carillo. He said, if I do everything this summer to get better, and come up there and show well during the fall season, he said that theres no doubt that Id be able to compete for a starting spot.
As a junior, Fox played in the inaugural junior showcase baseball games put on by the Colorado Dugout Club. The Colorado Dugout is made up of baseball coaches apart of the Colorado High School Coaches Association. Fox played on the Western Slope team.
Beyond baseball, Fox is looking to take pre-nursing courses at OJC and transfer to a four-year school to complete his bachelors degree in nursing. Fox hopes to continue baseball at a four-year institution, too.
Thats one of the reasons I like junior college. It gives you the time to develop to hopefully get to that four-year level, he said. I think Otero is the perfect place for that. Its one of the best junior colleges in the state for baseball. I just love Otero. Its a great place for me.
OJC competes in Region IX of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Devin is the son of Ray and Diane Fox.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.