Pictured L-R: U of La Verne Pitchers, Ethan Galindo & Matt DesMarets

College Baseball:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto

There’s a diamond in the rough that is known as the University of La Verne baseball program in the eastern San Gabriel Valley.

It doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves.

And that’s probably OK with longtime ULV coach Scott Winterburn, his staff and their players.

You see, their focus is all about working hard, doing well in the classroom, accepting one’s role, and not shortcutting the process that allows a program to go from good to champions.

This past week, the Leopards won their third consecutive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.

La Verne went 18-6 in SCIAC play, and that turned out to be two games better than second place Claremont-Mudd Scripps (16-8).

However, there is a far more impressive feat that happened over the past 80 days than just winning a regular season conference title.

La Verne’s 31-8 overall record equates to its highest winning percentage in 30 years.

Back in 1995, they went 39-9.

That blossoms into an 81.25 winning percentage.

In 2025, the Leopards are winning at a 79.48 clip.

And they need just two wins at this week’s SCIAC Tournament to be the program’s high-water mark since 1995.

ULV finished 2024 with 32 wins.

What makes this record season so noteworthy is the fact that the Leopards are led by a couple of local boys.

Northview’s Ethan Galindo and San Dimas’ Matt DesMarets aren’t just team leaders for the pitching staff, they’re at or near the top in almost every category among SCIAC pitchers.

Galindo and DesMarets are solid and intelligent young men who come from great families.

Along with everything they’ve accomplished on the baseball field, Ethan and Matt will leave the ULV campus with their degrees.

Ethan Galindo played at Northview for Dan Roddy from 2019-2021.

The Vikings’ lefty went 10-4 with a 2.33 ERA during his time in Covina.

Keep in mind, Galindo’s junior season was just nine games long thanks to COVID-19 shutting the world down.

NHS went 38-24 overall, and they were 14-6 in Valle Vista League play.

Galindo was a teammate of 2024 NCAA World Series champion Dean Curley from the University of Tennessee.

His shining moment during his prep career came on February 15th of 2020 when Galindo tossed a no-hitter against Mayfair in a 2-0 victory.

Galindo is listed at 5-foot-8 and 173 pounds, and he’s not going to blow anyone away.

He’s had to be crafty, hit his spots and trust that his defense will make plays behind him.

Coach Roddy described him this way: “During his junior and senior year, Ethan was my strike thrower. When Ethan pitched, we always had a chance to win due to the fact he threw strikes. He’s a fierce competitor who fears no one. I really appreciate that he stays in touch with me often. I believe he is having success in college because he is a hard worker and is willing to adjust. He also just understands how to pitch.”

Galindo has spent the last four years in La Verne.

La Verne’s Scott Winterburn took over the reins in 2001, and the program is arguably riding the best four-year stretch in program history.

Later in the story, I’ll back up that claim with some numbers.

Winterburn talked about Galindo’s journey at ULV.

Said Scott Winterburn: “Ethan came to us from Northview High School. His Coach was Dan Roddy, who recommended Ethan to us and told me we’d have a competitive kid that will help us win games. He was right on. Ethan has contributed to our team since he got here as a freshman, but he really got going in his sophomore year. That year he was a Friday starter for us the majority of the year and he was really learning on the fly. Because he threw so many strikes, we could count on him week in and week out to keep us close.

Last year was tough for him. He was dealing with an injury the entire year. That injury didn’t allow him to get after his pitches like he is used to doing. As a result, it affected his stuff a bit, and it affected his ability to train in between outings. He went to the bullpen for the entire year where he came out of the pen 17 times to helped us win 30 games and a conference title. I believe this setback turned out to be a motivation for him.

He addressed his medical issue over the summer and healed. As a result, he came back to school in the fall in good health and was very hungry to win his spot back in the rotation. This year, he has been healthy, and as competitive as I’ve ever seen him. His stuff shows it. He is throwing harder, and even more accurately. He’s had days where his percentage of strikes is as good as anyone we’ve ever had.

I’m very happy for him. He really wants the ball and wants to win for his team. Also, Ethan has matured as a player and as a person. He is someone his teammates look to when errors happen and adversity comes. He is the one guy we count on to handle all of that, and however it comes. He has the ability to go back on the mound with no changes in his performance.”

That maturity and work ethic has resulted in Galindo having a monster senior season.

Ethan Galindo is 8-1 this season with a 2.51 ERA.

He’s walked six and fanned 40 in 71 2/3 IP.

Opposing batters hit at a .226 clip against Galindo.

Galindo is first in the SCIAC in least walks allowed, and his ERA is fifth best.

He’s third in wins.

Over his stretch at ULV, Galindo is 15-2, with 42 walks and 82 strikeouts in 182 2/3 innings.

His ERA has gone down over a point in each of his four seasons for Winterburn.

Most importantly, the Leopards have gone 123-54, and 74-23 in SCIAC play.

ULV has won 30 or more games in each of Galindo’s four years, and that includes three consecutive SCIAC regular season titles.

According to Baseball-Reference, the University of La Verne’s baseball program had never won 30 or more games for four consecutive years until Galindo’s freshman class walked on campus.

Galindo said his journey as a young freshman at ULV to a seasoned veteran has meant so much to him on and off the baseball field.

I asked Galindo to describe his experience at La Verne over the last four years, and his ascension on the mound.

“I didn’t fully know what I was getting myself into,” he said. “I just wanted to play. But I didn’t know the three parts to being a better athlete. Which is know it, do it, and own it. I started to learn so many new aspects in baseball and continued to soak everything up like a sponge throughout the years. Whenever Coach Winterburn gave me the chance to pitch, I tried to be as relentless as possible by pounding the zone and having a great presence on the mound.

I wouldn’t really say I’ve had any lows because everything I do at the field is productive and helpful which has its highs. The only lows would have to be my injuries, especially getting a hernia before my junior season. Having that injury made me feel helpless until I made a decision to just play throughout the season and go as far as I could until I couldn’t. I ended up helping the team many times out of the bullpen that season which I’m very grateful that I finished the whole season.

I attribute this current success to my coaches and the consistent routine/process that I have. Being able to work on my craft in the bullpen really helps with what I need to do in order to be ready for gameday. Visualization is important to my success because it has helped me with my command as well as keeping the ball low. The pitches I have relied on would be my slider and fastball for most hitters, and then I throw from a three-quarters arm slot as well to throw batters off and produce soft contact.

Over the last four years, I have gotten a lot better with keeping my composure when I get dealt with adversity. That helped me gain more confidence within myself to pitch no matter what the situation was. Knowing your identity as a pitcher is important because I wanted to be a strikeout thrower, but I wasn’t. I was more of a soft contact lefty with a lot of pitch mixes. Once I realized that, I started to have better outcomes.”

Galindo said his parents Deana and Nick have meant everything to him as a person, player, a student, and they have helped shape his morals and work ethic.

“My dad has done everything in his power to give me the best. He has worked countless hours, being able to take time off work to watch me play. Throughout the years, he has taught me how to succeed and overcome certain obstacles that I get dealt with such as being shorter than others and not throwing as hard. Being able to go on that mound and pitch with my dad watching means a lot to me, because I just want to show him all the hard work and effort I have been putting in with baseball as well as school.

My mom has been my biggest supporter from day one. She’s always reminded me of my worth no matter the highs or lows. Her strength, love, and sacrifices have shaped me into someone who never gives up. My dad has taught me the value of hard work and discipline through your actions, not just your words. Your quiet support and steady presence have helped my life a lot.”

After this baseball season is over, Galindo plans to become a substitute teacher and he hopes to give pitching lessons on the side. He would also like to go to grad school and earn a master’s degree.

When Galindo walks off the La Verne campus for the last time, he will carry a degree in kinesiology.

Lastly, I asked Galindo what his favorite individual and team moments were at La Verne and what his message would be to Coach Winterburn and his staff.

Said Ethan Galindo: “My favorite individual moment would be my sophomore year against the Claremont Mudd-Scripps. I started on senior day against them, and I just wanted to do it for the seniors and Leo’s. I ended up throwing 7.1 innings with one run allowed to give the Leo’s a win but also an advantage to having the upper hand in the SCIAC title which we indeed won that year. It felt so good just being able to show what I’m made of and help my team get a win. A favorite team moment would be winning the regionals my sophomore year because a lot of the games were so back and forth until we eventually beat Southern Birmingham. It felt so good because our team has never gotten that far and all the hard work was starting to pay off. All the morning conditionings and lifts were paying off. That memory will never be forgotten just because of how badly we wanted to win and prove that the Leo’s have what it takes to be champions.

To coach Winterburn & his staff: Thank you for always believing in me, challenging me, and helping me grow both on and off the field. I wouldn’t be the player or the person I am today without your guidance. Every moment that was shared at the baseball field and traveling will definitely have a special place in my heart, because it had a bunch of guys wanting the same goal, which is to be victorious at the end.”

Matt DesMarets journey to ULV wasn’t exactly a direct route.

He spent 2020 and 2021 playing for Mike Regan and Mark Chiappelli at San Dimas High School.

The Saints won six of the seven games they played in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

DesMarets went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in nine innings.

He didn’t issue a walk, and he struck out nine batters.

SDHS went 20-5 during his senior campaign.

And that included a 10-0 run to a Valle Vista League title.

During his senior year, DesMarets went 6-1 with a 3.12 ERA.

He walked 23 and fanned 35 batters in 42 2/3 innings.

Regan described DesMarets time there: “Matt was our number two starter his senior year and had good stuff. He has had quite a journey getting to La Verne, but has really developed into a very polished pitcher. I saw him pitch in the fall this year, and he was quite dominant with velo around 90 and plus secondary pitches. I am very impressed with his development and maturity. He is a big young man with a chance to keep getting better, and I hope he continues to chase his dreams and keep playing this game.”

DesMarets spent the next two years at Concordia of Irvine.

In 2022 and 2023, DesMarets went a combined 3-6 with an ERA north of 6.00.

He walked 44 batters and struck out 65 in 76 2/3 combined innings.

And then came arguably the best move of his life thus far.

He made the 40-mile drive north up the 5 and 57 to the 10 east, and he ended up playing for a man he both looks up to, and credits as being his mentor.

That man is Scott Winterburn.

Winterburn talked about DesMarets arrival and growth at ULV.

“I’ve known Matthew for a long time. He played with Mike Salazar’s son in travel ball and came to baseball camps we’d have. Obviously, he played for Mike Regan at San Dimas. So, Matthew has been around guys who know the game.

There are no secrets here. Matt is a big, strong young man who is starting to understand what he needs to do to be a really good pitcher. That takes time and he’s been willing to spend that time. Like many players, there has always been talent there. However, the biggest adjustments that have been made have been made by Matthew. He has really gone after his goal of playing in the big leagues by finding out more and more about pitching.

He has developed his pitches and yes, he is throwing harder than ever before. In addition, the development of his breaking pitches has been instrumental to his success. When he is on point, he is really tough to deal with. And he has been on point many times this year. The best part for me is when a player develops a fitness level that allows him to really train in between starts, and it has been a big key for Matt. He has been getting stronger as the year is moving forward.

Another reason I see as critical in his development has been his maturity as a player and person. Sometimes when a player has been through tough times, it provides an opportunity to see what that player is willing to do about it. I believe Matt was afforded a great opportunity here at La Verne, and he has done everything in his power to make the most of it. Lastly, he met a good friend on our team at La Verne in Austin Klopfenstein, and those two become really good friends who shared some common goals as players.

And they have the type of relationship you want for your kids; They push each other… Hard. All the “right” things are their focus. They lift and train during the season, and they do the same in the summer. They compete with one another, and they expect to be better each time. I’m really proud of them both, and the work they have done. Matthew is climbing the baseball mountain, and his best is in front of him.”

DesMarets is much different than Galindo in size and velocity.

He stands 6-foot-3 and weighs approximately 235 pounds.

His fastball reaches the 90’s, and he’s more of a strikeout pitcher.

However, just like Galindo, DesMarets works his ass off, is a great competitor and he’s become a student of the game.

Just like Ethan, Matt has gotten better each season at ULV.

In 2024, DesMarets went 4-2 with a 4.89 ERA.

He issued 36 walks and registered 61 strikeouts in 57 innings.

Opposing batters had a .250 average against DesMarets in 2024.

Fast forward to 2025, and he’s having the best season of his baseball career.

He’s currently 9-2 with a 3.24 ERA.

DesMarets is only one win back of Redlands’ Nate Buchan, who is 10-1, for the SCIAC lead.

He’s also second in the SCIAC with 91 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings.

La Verne’s counterparts are batting just .160 against the Leopards big man.

And while at ULV since 2024, the program is 61-24 overall.

They have won back-to-back regular season SCIAC titles with identical 18-6 marks in conference play.

DesMarets describes his experience at ULV since arriving in 2024.

“This is my second year here at ULV and it has been an amazing two years. Last year was a year that I needed. I learned a lot of new things about the mental side of baseball, but did not know how to apply it. I had some lows last year by only going one inning in a start and getting pulled. My high last year was in the regionals against Trinity. I went 4 2/3 innings, didn’t give up any hits, and was I dealing with a back injury. But I did what I could to keep my team in that game.

My success this year has been from really believing in myself and believing I am good. Really putting time into the mental side of baseball and trusting my process. Not worrying about the little stupid things that do not matter. Really putting extra work in the weight room, doing the little things right. I have relied on my fastball, gryo slider, and my sweeper this year.

Over my last four years in college, I went from topping at 90 to now 96, so velocity has definitely helped me. Also, my confidence within myself. My control has gotten a lot better,”

Just like Galindo, Matt DesMarets is blessed to have a loving and supportive family.

Christian and Jody DesMarets have been Matt’s constant source of unconditional love, and they’ve been with him through the best and worst times.

“I am grateful for my dad, because he taught me the game of baseball and introduced me to the game. He has given me the opportunity to play baseball in high school and college. He has given me the resources that I need to succeed and play. He has supported me through my ups and downs and he’s always had my back.

What I appreciate the most about my mom is she is so supportive and is always looking out for me. She always wants to make sure I am happy and am healthy. She wants the best for me. For my dad it’s the same thing. He is always there right by my side. He gives me all of the support you would want from a Dad. He pays for my training off the side, because he wants to give me all of the tools necessary to succeed and I am so grateful for that.”

In not too long, DesMarets will leave campus with a 3.4 GPA and a degree in Business.

However, his days of pitching won’t likely end at the end of this season.

“The plan is to get drafted and eventually make it to the big leagues. This has always been a dream, but I want to make it a reality for me.”

I asked Matt what his time at SDHS with Coach Regan and Chip meant in his career.

“San Dimas helped me in many ways to prepare for college. The practices were very much like a college practice and it was that level of coaching as well. When I went to college, there was not a big gap, and I realized how well my time at San Dimas prepared me for this part of my career.”

Lastly, I asked DesMarets to talk about his favorite individual and team moment at ULV and what his message is for Coach Winterburn and the staff.

Said Matt DesMarets: “My favorite individual moment so far would be this year against Whitter. I gave up a run in the first inning, and I looked at Burn and I said I got this. After that, I went six no-hit innings with no runs. I finished the game with 10 strikeouts. My favorite team moment would be last year’s regional, and we walked it off against Trinity to move on to the super regionals.

The game was very close. Jerry Terry was a horse that game going eight shutout innings pitching on a bad hamstring and then Austin Klopfenstein came in for two innings and shut the door. Then Ryan Vosika came up and got a walk-off single and we all went crazy. It was just a very exciting time for the team.

Coach Winterburn has been the best coach I have ever had in my career. The amount of knowledge and stories he has is incredible. I am so blessed that he gave me the opportunity to play baseball here at La Verne. Not only is he an amazing coach, but he is an terrific mentor.

He is someone that I look up to in life. He does everything at the highest level and with the most respect. He has developed me as a player by opening up the mental side of baseball and pushing me to work harder and make myself develop as a player. The coaching staff at La Verne is next level. All of the coaches are premier and have the best knowledge of baseball. They are there to make us better men and better baseball players. They’ll get there early or stay late to have extra reps with us. They are just an amazing staff.”

Up next: ULV will open SCIAC play on Thursday.

Ethan Galindo Career Stats:
2025 at ULV: 8-1, 2.51 ERA, 6BB, 40 strikeouts in 71 2/3 IP, .226 batting average against
2024 at ULV: 3-0, 4.97, 29IP, 8BB, 16Ks, .290BA
2023 at ULV: 4-1, 6.00 69IP, 25BB, 21K, .298
2022 at ULV: 0-0, 7.04, 13IP, 3BB, 5K, .371 avg
2021 at NHS: 5-3, 2.14 era
2020 at NHS: 2-0, 1.52 era (no-hitter vs Mayfair)
2019 at NHS: 2-1, 3.35 era

Matt DesMarets Career Stats:
2025 at ULV: 9-2, 3.24 ERA, 33 BB, 91 strikeouts in 72 1/3 IP, .160 batting average against
2024 at ULV: 4-2, 4.89 ERA, 57IP, 36BBs & 61Ks,.250 BA
2023 at Concordia: 0-2, 8.34, 22 2/3IP, 18BB, 23K, .319 average
2022 at Concordia: 3-4, 5.03, 53 2/3 IP, 26BB, 42Ks, .269 avg
2021 at SD: 6-1, 3.12, 42 2/3IP, 23BB/35K
2020 at SD: 1-0, 0.00, 9IP, 0BB, 9K

University of La Verne Baseball Records, 2022-2025:
2025: 31-8, 18-6
2024: 30-16-1, 18-6
2023: 32-18, 20-4
2022: 30-12, 17-7
Totals: 123-54 overall, 74-23 in conference

Northview w/Ethan Galindo:
2021: 17-9, 7-3
2020: 5-4, 0-0
2019: 16-11, 7-3

San Dimas w/Matt DesMarets:
2021: 20-5, 10-0
2020: 6-1, 2-0

2025 SCIAC Standings Through May 3:
La Verne (31-8, 18-6)
Claremont-Mudd Scripps (30-10, 16-8)
Pomona-Pitzer (27-13, 16-8)
Cal Lutheran (26-12, 16-8)
Redlands (185-135)
Chapman (11-28, 10-14)
Whittier (17-23, 9-15)
Caltech (8-30, 5-19)
Occidental (10-30, 3-21)

La Verne’s Remaining Schedule:
SCIAC Tournament (May 8-13)
NCAA West Regional (May 16-18)