TILLSONBURG, Ontario - How the Future Games can have an affect on what lies ahead. Matt Evans found that out.

“Before the Future Games I had not actually talked to any schools,” the Glendale High School junior said. “After the Future Games I had a little chit-chat with four other schools, but then Nebraska offered and I accepted three days later.”

Evans credits Adam Stern, head coach of the Great Lake Canadians, for initiating the interest.

“He put in a word for me with Nebraska before I went to the Future Games,” Evans said, noting Stern went to college at the school in Lincoln. “In talking to them, they said they watched me in warmups and during the games and liked what they saw. Adam Stern said two weeks later that Nebraska wanted me to call and they gave me an offer.”

The third-rated outfielder in Canada related what the Big 10 school saw in him.

“Coach Lance Harvell noted right away the leadership role I play,” Evans explained about what the Nebraska assistant coach/recruiting coordinator said. “Even in warmups or on the bench I was always involved. On the player’s side, they liked my hit role and right away noticed the speed I have. They noticed the way I present myself as a player and the tools I have to fit in as a center fielder.”

Splitting time between right and center field for Team Canada, Evans enjoyed his time at the PBR premier event in Georgia.

“Being there was unreal,” Evans noted. “The atmosphere was awesome. Everyone had the same goal, to show off how good they were. That was fun knowing everyone was playing as hard as the can with all the coaches watching.

“I didn’t think I did the best, I only had three hits in three games, but on the plus side I didn’t strike out facing all those good uncommitted arms.”

After receiving an offer from Nebraska, Evans made some inquiries and was pleased with what he heard before making a commitment.

“In my program there are two older guys going there, guys I look up to,” Evans said in reference to Core Jackson and Caleb Clark, a pair of 2021 high school grads. “They gave me reassurance about the facilities and everything there. That made me feel at home.”

Not long ago, hockey was still in the picture for Evans.

“I was a two-sport athlete three years ago,” Evans noted. “If you told me I would be committed to Nebraska I’d tell you you’re silly. But I made the Great Lakes team and put the needle on the head to focus on just baseball and it worked out.

“When I got to the program I really didn’t know much about college baseball. But I learned about it and that it was the best step to playing in the pros. After that, college baseball was where I wanted to be, especially at a school like Nebraska.”

Once with the Great Lake Canadians, improvement followed for the 12th-rated 2023 in Canada.

“I felt I was always a dominant fielder but this year I really worked on my hitting,” Evans reflected. “Last year I went out of my way to be the player I wasn’t, hitting to the pull side instead of to all fields. This year I went back to being a gap-to-gap leadoff hitter.”

That is something Evans takes pride in.

“I like hitting one or two,” Evans said of his preference in the batting order. “I like leading off and bringing that energy. It’s the perfect spot for me.

“The way I see it, I’m an electric type of guy. That’s what my coaches say. I want to bring energy, even in my freshman year I’m planning on being a leader there.”

But until recently, showing off that energy was difficult with Covid.

“It’s been hard for anyone up here in Canada,” Evans explained. “Coaches couldn’t come up. It was tough thinking that maybe I wouldn’t get the chance I deserve. But I got lucky going to the Future Games.”

Sport management is the planned major at Nebraska for Evans, who admitted to a lot of pleasure when a commitment came.

“It was a feeling I hadn’t had before,” Evans said. “Something as big as going to a Big 10 school … it was the first time I saw my dad choke up. He was awfully proud. 

“He was a coach for me growing up in my hometown, but once Great Lakes came in he stepped back. But before Great Lakes he’d take me out every day. He was easily one of the biggest keys to where I am now.”

A future at Nebraska brings excitement for Evans, but also a realization of what is ahead.

“I was on cloud nine after I committed but that only lasted a week,” Evans said. “Now it’s time to work even harder.”