Faith West pitcher signs to University of Houston-Victoria

Pictured are: (seated) parents Kathy and Tony Montalbano flank Nick Montalbano; (standing, from left) Greg Koch, Faith West Academy athletic director and baseball coach, and baseball coach Jose J. Chapa.

Faith West Academy senior Nick Montalbano has signed a letter of intent to play baseball next year for the University of Houston-Victoria Jaguars.

The left-handed pitcher has played baseball since he was 5 and has become known on the field for his slider and fastball, which clocked at 84 mph. He ended his 2012 season with a 2.02 ERA and a .306 batting average.

Off the field he was also awarded with an Academic All-State Award for exceeding a 3.5 GPA in 2011 and 2012.

He said he chose to sign with UHV because he wanted to play for Terry Puhl, Jaguars head coach.

Montalbano is the son of Katy residents Tony and Kathy Montalbano.