Tahoe's DeLallo transfers to North Dakota college

When his pitching went south, former South Tahoe High star Max DeLallo decided to go north, as in North Dakota.

DeLallo has transferred to Williston State College in Williston, N.D., so he can pitch as a freshman.

DeLallo signed with Western Nevada College his senior year at STHS but control issues and velocity hampered the 6-foot-3 pitcher upon arriving at the Carson City campus in the fall. As a result, he transferred mid-semester to Williston State.

"He worked hard but didn't throw enough strikes," said WNC coach D.J. Whittemore, whose team opens a four-game set against Pima Community College at 3 p.m. today in Las Vegas.

DeLallo said his control problems started in the summer and lingered into the fall.

"I wasn't able to eradicate it," said DeLallo, the Tahoe Daily Tribune's 2009-10 STHS male athlete of the year. "I usually work out my own problems - a process that doesn't take longer than a week. ... I kept pitching with my bad form and that form eventually became my pitching form."

The STHS record holder for strikeouts in a game (17) has found help at Williston.

"I needed someone who can work with me right now," DeLallo said. "The coach videotapes me. I'm getting out of my bad pitching form, my control is getting better and my velocity is back up."

Williston coach Shawn Cote said on the school's website that his program is excited to add someone of DeLallo's caliber and character.

"Throughout the recruiting process everyone I talked to about Max said the same thing, great work ethic, great student and unlimited potential on the field," Cote said. "Max is going to have to work through some control problems he had this fall but once he does, he is going to be very good.

"To be able to add this kind of talent to our team at semester is great. I expect Max to have an immediate impact."

Even though DeLallo would have preferred to play closer to home, Williston State offers many of the things he was look for out of high school.

"I couldn't pass it up. I'm receiving a free education and a chance to play with a good team," he said.

DeLallo understands WNC's position as one of the top junior college programs in the country and is excited to move forward.

"He made the right decision in my opinion," DeLallo said. "The coach had seen me, and he has a good staff with a lot of good pitchers."

The Tetons are scheduled to open their season March 14 in Tucson, Ariz.