Turlock pitcher Treadwell becomes new Pacific coach’s first recruit

For the better part of a decade, Damon Treadwell could look into the stands and find two familiar faces.

Brad and Melissa Treadwell haven’t missed many of their son’s games, but college threatened to throw the doting parents a curveball.

Baseball turns even its best talent into journeymen, and Treadwell, a Turlock junior and member of NorCal Valley’s 17-and-under team, was destined to start that tour. But where?

Fortunately for mom and dad, Treadwell’s next stop won’t take him far from home. In fact, his next stop sort of feels like home.

Treadwell has verbally committed to the University of the Pacific, becoming new skipper Mike Neu’s first official recruit. Neu took over the program in July, replacing former major-league player and Stockton native Ed Sprague.

“It’s a dream come true because I’ve worked for this for 10 years,” said Treadwell, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound right-handed pitcher. “To finally get an offer is amazing. (Neu) said it would be awesome if I would be his first recruit. He told me I’m a perfect fit for his style of play and a perfect fit for UOP.”

There won’t be a need for a campus tour.

Pacific’s Klein Family Field has been the site of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I South tournament for the past seven years. Turlock has been a regular participant throughout the years, qualifying five times in the last six seasons with four South final appearances.

“I’m used to the town already and I can have multiple family members at my games when I play,” Treadwell said. “It’s better than being out of state where they can come only one or two times a year. It’s big support for me and will take a lot of stress off my shoulders.”

Mom and dad couldn’t be more thrilled with their son’s choice. Brad says he’s missed just a handful of games since Damon began playing baseball at age 4.

Brad said he and his wife realized early on that Damon was a special talent. So they catered to his passion, following him across the country and back, hoping it would open doors just like this.

“With the way our schedules work, we won’t miss any of his home games,” Brad said excitedly. “Or the ones just a few hours away.”

Ultimately, Treadwell chose Pacific because Pacific chose Neu, a former major leaguer who won a national championship with the University of Miami in 1999.

For the past four years, Neu has played an integral role in bringing the Cal program back from near-extinction. The Bears qualified for the College World Series this past spring and finished No. 22 in Baseball America’s final Top 25 poll.

Neu served as the pitching coach.

It was in that role that Neu first discovered Treadwell as a freshman. The two met at a Cal camp, and then reconnected this summer at showcases at Billy Hebert Field in Stockton.

“Ever since that Cal-Berkeley camp, I’ve loved everything about his pitching,” Treadwell said of Neu. “He’s just a great guy in general.”

By all accounts, Treadwell is surrounded by great guys. He credits the coaches at NorCal Valley for turning him into a coveted recruit.

Danny Ayala and Steve Marks co-coach the 17s, who enjoyed a banner summer season. NorCal Valley routinely beat older competition at tournaments in Southern California, Stockton and Reno.

Pitching coach Mike McNeil helped Treadwell add velocity to his fastball. In one summer, Treadmill’s heater climbed from 78 to 88 mph.

“We saw his size and height and saw how much potential he has ... how special he could be,” Ayala said. “He came out a like a workhorse, and every time he took the mound, he got better. He wants to learn and tries to apply it every time out.”

Three players from the 17-and-under squad have committed to four-year universities, including Central Catholic senior Sam Mundt (Utah) and Gregori junior Jimmy McClenaghan (Nebraska).

“I dedicate everything to NorCal Valley,” Treadwell said. “They’ve helped me with knowing and understanding the game better and becoming a better person in general.”

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Turlock pitcher Treadwell becomes new Pacific coach’s first recruit."