Dawson Montesa wrapped up his college career with a heartfelt goodbye to West Virginia University's baseball program, thanking fans, coaches and staff for the support that carried him from a modest freshman to a standout pitcher.
A Mountaineer's Next Chapter
The right‑hander finished the 2026 season with a 5‑5 record, a 5.38 ERA and 92 strikeouts across 19 starts and 15 relief appearances, but his most memorable outing came in a do‑or‑die victory over Wake Forest, where he tossed 7.1 innings and delivered a 122‑pitch performance that coach Steve Sabins called a huge performance.
After being selected in the MLB Draft on July 16, Montesa signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, a move that will let him follow in the footsteps of fellow Mountaineers JJ Wetherholt and Victor Scott, both already making their way through the Cardinals' system.
Sabins highlighted the 122‑pitch outing as a testament to Montesa's resilience, noting that a two‑week stint in the bullpen earlier in the year helped him reset and return with sharper command.
Montesa's college legacy includes 16 wins, a 4.56 ERA and 247 strikeouts, numbers that cement his place among the program's notable alumni and set the stage for a promising professional debut.