GWU Baseball Recruit Eric Jones Earns West MVP Honors At VHSCA All-Star Game
July 09, 2015 | Baseball
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Gardner-Webb baseball recruit Eric Jones, who signed a National Letter of Intent with the Runnin' Bulldogs in April, capped a spectacular senior season with MVP honors for the West at the 2015 VHSCA (Virginia High School Coaches Association) All-Star Game Wednesday night.
Jones (Charlotte Courthouse, Va. / Randolph-Henry HS) collected three hits, stole two bases and scored a run in the game, which was played at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
"I just didn't put any pressure on myself," Jones told the Lynchburg (Va.) News-Advance after the game. "I've been working with my coach back home to get ready for Gardner-Webb next year and facing faster pitching, so I guess that just helped a lot."
The success should not come as a surprise, as Jones (5-11, 175) put up astounding numbers as a senior for Randolph-Henry (Va.) High.
In 21 games, the shortstop batted .549 with 39 hits in 71 bats to lead the Statesmen to a 15-6 mark. Jones belted eight home runs, 16 doubles, two triples and drove in 33 runs in those 21 games – posting a 1.169 slugging percentage and a .624 on base percentage. He scored 29 runs as well.
Jones was named Group 2A All-State for the second season in a row and was also named James River District Player of the Year for the second time in two seasons. His 2015 accolades also included Conference Player of the Year and Region Player of the Year honors – as well as first-team honors in the conference, district and region.
As a junior, Jones batted .566 with two home runs, 19 doubles, 37 RBI and 28 runs scored – going a sizzling 47-of-83 at the plate. He struck out only three times in 2014 and had a strong .611 on base percentage in 25 games played.
Over his final two prep seasons combined, Jones batted .558 (86-of-154) with 10 home runs, 35 doubles, 70 RBI and scored 57 runs – eye-popping offensive output for just 46 games.
