FENTON - The recruiting process can definitely take a toll on an athlete. This year more so than ever.

That was the case for Brendan Alvord.

“For me it was tough with everything going on in the world right now,” the Fenton senior explained. “Everything was put on hold my junior year which is the most important year when it comes to recruiting. I missed junior school ball so the coaches couldn’t come out to watch me. It was a little frustrating.”

Fortunately, the 30th-rated 2021 in the state had begun conversing with Eastern Michigan prior to COVID-19 when recruitment changed.

“I started talking with them back in the winter with emails and texts with the pitching coach (A.J. Achter),” Alvord related. “After that it moved along to videos since they weren’t allowing coaches to come watch. From there, a couple of coaches in my corner reached out to them.”

Increased velocity helped the cause for the 6-2 210-pound right-handed pitcher.

“They like the jumps I’ve made each year with velo,” noted Alvord, who is up to 88 this year after topping at 84 a year ago. “It’s been a lot of hard work in the offseason with pitching coach Dylan Putnam and summer coach Kyle Fedorko.”

A visit with family to the university in Ypsilanti took place as interest peaked.

“We drove around and I liked the feel inside campus and also liked the athletic facilities,” Alvord reflected.

There was more that stood out for Alvord, who had also received looks from Michigan State, Western Michigan and Central Michigan.

“It’s only 45 minutes from home,” Alvord pointed out. “I really like that it’s close to home. My brother is in high school and we’re close. He plays baseball, basketball and football and he’s just starting high school. I’ll be able to see his journey.”

While freshman brother Nolan has a lot of promise as the third-rated 2024 shortstop in Michigan, Alvord has made enormous strides as a player in becoming an Eastern Michigan commit.

“Over the years I’ve gotten a lot stronger, putting on weight and eating the right foods,” Alvord explained. “I’ve also grown stronger with leadership qualities as well.”

Continuing to improve as a pitcher is vital at this point in time.

“I need to keep working on a couple offspeed pitches,” noted Alvord, whose arsenal includes a two-seam and four-seam fastball, change, curve and slider. “I want to have better control, mostly with my changeup. I’m also looking to gain more velo with my fastball.”

What the second-rated uncommitted 2021 pitcher in the state prior to his decision knows, is what he feels he can provide the program at Eastern.

“I feel I can bring a kid who comes in every day and works his tail off to do what’s best for the team,” Alvord said. “Off the field I’ll get the job done in the classroom. I’m a good kid so there’s nothing to worry about off the field. I’ll do what’s best for the team, adjust to the culture and get after it.”

A 3.59 student, Alvord was thrilled to make a commitment official.

“They set up a zoom call with me and my family,” Alvord reflected. “When they made that offer it was a dream come true. Since I was a kid I’ve wanted to play college baseball. All the hard work has paid off.”

With plans to major in business and minor in communications, Alvord looks forward to being part of the Mid-American Conference program.

“The coaching staff really stands out,” Alvord said about what he likes most about EMU. “To be able to work with coach Achter and (head) coach (Eric) Roof I feel will put me in the best position to continue my growth in baseball and take me to the next level after college.”

But, admittedly, it did not happen without some concerns during the recruiting process.

“I knew something would come around that was right for me, but at 17 it’s not easy waiting around,” Alvord explained. “I just had to put trust in Gold that it would all work out and I’m happy that it did.

“I’ve wanted to play college baseball for a long time. At the start of high school freshman year I went to a couple camps and a couple of D-I schools reached out. It was then I realized it could come true if I worked at it.

“It’s definitely relieving to have the weight off my shoulders,” Alvord concluded. “To know where I’m going feels great. But now the work is just beginning. It’s not high school anymore. You’re playing for people’s jobs. It’s time to start putting in the real work now.”