Josh Furtado was born to be a baseball player.
It's all he ever wanted to do.
As a kid, he modeled his game after his favorite player, Dustin Pedroia, and loved getting dirty on the diamond, sliding and diving after every baseball he could. He wanted to "leave it all on the field" as Dustin Pedroia often did.
Furtado also had a strong support system, especially from his dad and brother, who were the best role models he could ask for.
So, when it came time to choose a college, Furtado decided to start his playing career at Transylvania University, a Division III school in Lexington, Kentucky.
But, deep down, Furtado had bigger aspirations for himself.
So, when the opportunity came to play Division I baseball at Morehead State, he jumped at the chance.
"While coaching staffs and teammates have changed over the years, I'm so glad I decided to finish my career at Morehead, where I've already created so many memories and friendships both on and off the field," said Furtado.
Furtado is a relief pitcher for the Eagles, and one of the best parts of being a reliever is getting his teammates out of a jam.
"There's nothing better than helping a teammate escape a jam, especially in the later innings of a game," said Furtado. "As teammates, we do everything together. From practices and lifts to hanging out outside of the field, even though we might not always have our best days, we all have the same goals. Being able to help a 'brother' out when things don't go their way is one of the most rewarding feelings, not only in baseball but as a friend."
For Furtado, the best thing about baseball is the lifelong friendships he's made.
He's learned many life lessons from the game, but the friendships he's made with his teammates and coaches mean the most to him.
They've helped mold him into the person he is today.
Playing baseball at the Division I level is a tough feat, and Furtado has worked incredibly hard to get to where he is today.
So, if he has any advice for younger players, it's to be yourself.
"In a world where everyone is trying to fit in and compare their talents to others, especially through social media, simply embrace the athlete and person you are," said Furtado. "The sport won't always give back to you an equivalent to what you put in, but it's the failures that allow you to not only grow as an athlete, but as a person."
Furtado's baseball journey has been a unique one, and he wouldn't be where he is today without the experiences he's had along the way.
He advises younger players to enjoy the journey and embrace who they are as people and players.
Furtado is known for being one of the friendliest players around, and he prides himself in being outgoing and easy to talk to.
He always has a smile on his face, and his positive energy is infectious.
"I think the reason I try to be outgoing is my way of expressing gratitude for being in the position I'm in," said Furtado. "God blessed me with a talent and an opportunity to make the most of it. Playing college baseball was always a dream of mine, and to be toeing the rubber against teams I grew up watching and cheering for only makes it that much sweeter."
Furtado understands that baseball is a sport of failure, and it can be easy to get lost in the highs and lows of a season.
"Just like my dad says, baseball ends eventually," said Furtado. "I want to make sure people remember me as a believer, person, friend, and/or teammate, rather than a statistical category."
Furtado is making the most of his time at Morehead State, and he is grateful for the opportunity to play the game he loves at the highest level.
With his outgoing personality and love for the game, Furtado is sure to leave a lasting impression on his coaches, teammates, and fans.
