JCJC will field very young team
By By Shawn Wansley / EMG sports writer
Feb. 6, 2004
ELLISVILLE The Jones Junior College Bobcats will be a freshman-laden team in 2004.
Jones opens the season Feb. 14 at East Central. Their first home game will be Feb. 25 against Mississippi Delta.
The Bobcats posted a 14-29 mark last season, one year after claiming the state championship. If they are to return to postseason play this year, Glaze believes that pitching will have to carry them.
Leading the way will be Seminary freshman Joey Mooney, Wayne County sophomore Ty Lawson and Northeast Jones sophomore Nathan Jack. Lawson and Jack are the only two returning starters from last season.
Other key starters include West Jones freshman Eric Barkley, West Jones freshman Jake Ray, South Jones freshman Drew Tanner, and Robertsdale, Ala., freshman Dustin Cooke. In middle relief, Glaze looks to South Jones freshman Michael Welch, Seminary freshman Rhyan Sparkman and Laurel freshman Josh Leggett.
Taylorsville sophomore T.J. Grissom, Greene County sophomore Adam Brewer and Petal freshman could be used in certain situations. Ryan Greer, a sophomore transfer from a junior college in Alabama, will be the closer.
Around the horn, Jones will have returning sophomores Michael James of Greene County and Michael Johnson of West Jones, along with Tanner, at first base. Sophomores at second base will be Kelley Rounsaville of West Jones and Chancy Rogers of Greene County, along with Welch and Leggett.
At shortstop, it will be freshmen Jason Ford of Northeast Jones and Joel Faurot of George County. Jack and West Jones freshman Wes Chancellor are at
third base. Behind the plate will be sophomores Jared Myrick of Daphne, Ala., and Justin Wade of Northeast Jones, along with West Jones freshman Tim Hilton. Taylorsville freshman Chase Keeton can also catch.
In the outfield, it will be all freshmen for the Bobcats. Keeton and Taylorsville freshman Baker Ford are in left field, along with Liberty's Jeremy Perkins and Wayne County's Akeem Lofton in center field. Greene County freshman Elliot Burch and West Jones' Johnny McDonald are in right field.
Glaze said getting the clutch hit will also be a key.
In the South Division race, Glaze said defending champion Pearl River should be at the top, while Gulf Coast, Southwest and Co-Lin will be improved. Pearl River advanced to the Division II World Series last year.
