AT ILLINOIS
2008 - Sophomore: Played in 26 games, starting 14 behind the plate ... Was Illinois' primary catcher from March 18-April 6, starting 12 of 14 games ... Had a career day in the series opener at Michigan State, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs ... Hit .500 (4-for-8) with three RBIs and four runs in three starts over Spring Trip ... Had a career-best six-game hitting streak from March 18-29 ... Played for the San Diego Waves of the Western Semi-Pro Baseball Association during the summer.

2007 - Redshirt-Freshman: Member of the UI squad.

2006 - Freshman: Redshirted the 2006 season.

HIGH SCHOOL
Led Esperanza High to a championship in the 2005 National Classic ... Hit over .300 from 2003-05 ... Won the Esperanza Coach Award in 2005 ... Earned three varsity letters in baseball while participating in the Sunset Conference.

PERSONAL
Born Oct. 15, 1987, in Anaheim, Calif. ... Parents are Mark and Nancy Montgomery ... Majoring in kinesiology ... Has an older brother, Matt (31), and two older sisters, Danyelle (30) and Brittany (24) ... Father, Mark, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds ... Enjoys playing sports and singing ... Lists his biggest thrill in sports as hitting a game-winning home run in the regional championship game ... His favorite athlete is Alex Rodriguez because of his work ethic ... His earliest baseball memory is hitting a home run in the first game he played ... Named to the Esperanza principal's honor roll 2001-05 ... Earned recognition as a scholar-athlete at Esperanza 2001-05 ... Plans to become an orthopedic surgeon after finishing school.