Jones throws out first pitch, JSU whups Troy!

"Hall of Famers" Jim Skidmore and Todd Jones talk before the game.

Todd Jones throws out the first pitch.

Former major league all-star Todd Jones was back at Jacksonville State for last night's game against Troy. Jones, who played for JSU before being drafted by the Houston Astros in the first round of the 1989 amatuer draft, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Todd played as a freshman in 1987, striking out 49 in just 36 innings, and a 2-1 record. In a game against Shorter College, he struck out 7 consecutive hitters, and 12 in 5 innings. In the media guide for the following season, it states "...has a great arm with live fastball and sharp overhand curve...Needs to learn how to change speeds and improve location." In his sophomore season, Jones added another 88 strikeouts in 74 innings. He was 7-4 with 1 Save. In his final season at JSU before being drafted, Jones went 6-5, and had 83 strikeouts in 73 innings.

Jones was a very successful major leaguer after his career at Jacksonville State. In 16 seasons in The Show, Jones amassed 319 Saves along with 58 wins. His career high was 42 Saves (led the league) in 2000 with the Detroit Tigers. He was named to the All-Star team that year, and came in 5th in the Cy Young Award voting. In 8 post-season games, Jones never allowed an earned run.

It was great to have Todd back to throw out the first pitch. As for the game, JSU scored 6 times in the 8th inning to win the game over Troy, 7-3! Whup Troy! We did! Jim Case's team is getting hot and will play again in Jacksonville this evening.

Getting to Know James Adamson

From the current edition of the Chanticleer:

Get to know: Daniel Adamson
Austin Faulkner
Issue date: 2/18/10 Section: Sports

James Adamson, that name is claimed by the Jacksonville State University starting centerfielder, who has started in 145 games for the Gamecocks since his collegiate debut in 2007.
Adamson is the son of Randy and Dawn Adamson. He has two older siblings, a brother, Ben and a sister, Erin. He lists his favorite baseball icon as Nolan Ryan and his favorite team as the Atlanta Braves. He is currently majoring in physical education. The Springville native attended Clay-Chalkville High School where in 2003, he helped Jeff Mauldin's Cougars to the State Championship and was named the team's Best Defensive Player his junior and senior years. He played in the North vs. South All-Star game and the East vs. West All-Star game. He also attended the Alabama Top 100 Showcase.
This will be Adamson's fourth year playing for the JSU squad and he is expected to start in centerfield. He has continued to improve his game both offensively and defensively and is a tremendous player up the middle because of his ball-tracking ability. He earned OVC Player of the Week and OVC All-Freshman honors as a freshman in 2007 and All-OVC second-team as a junior in 2009. In his collegiate career, Adamson has had 31 doubles, 6 triples and 18 homeruns.
He looks to continue his success in 2010 and complete his career as a Gamecock with a great finish, so be sure to come out and support Adamson and the 2010 JSU Gamecocks' team.

First Pitch Luncheon

The First Pitch Luncheon, kicking off the baseball and softball season was today. We heard from Coach McGinnis and Coach Case speak about their teams and the upcoming season.

Comments from Coach McGinnis included...
We have 8 players returning and 11 newcomers this season. Ashley Eliasson is our only returning starting pitcher. We have 4 seniors; Chrissy O'Neal, Hillary Downs, Nikki Prier, and Mary Beth Ledbetter. They will provide excellent leadership this year. They are all great students, with GPA's over 3.5.
Last season was a magical season. JSU is picked to win the OVC this season. JSU will be a team that other schools will measure themselves by this year. With 11 newcomers, we are a new team, but other schools respect us, and will be trying their best against us.
There are only two schools in the country where the softball team coaching staff all graduated from the school where they coach - JSU and UCLA. Head Coach Jana McGinnis and Assistants Mark Wisener and Julie Boland all graduated from JSU.

Comments from Coach Case included...
The baseball team is picked to finish second in the OVC this season. Last season was a little disappointing. We barely made the OVC tournament, and finished second in tournament play. We had our sights set on going to Regionals last season. Injuries played a big part. We hope to stay healthy this season.
We are excited to have Bert Smith active again. He was injured all of last season. We are not a young team this season. We have 8 seniors. Sam Eberle and Kyle Bluestein were Freshman All-American last year. We expect a lot from them. Todd Cunningham had a great season in the Cape Cod league. Look for good things from him. Bill Henke is one of the best relief pitchers in the league. We have set high goals for this season.
We have 31 home games this season, the most since I have been here at JSU. We're looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd.

JSU represented on Baseball Preseason All-OVC Team

2010 OVC Preseason All-OVC Team
Preseason OVC Co-Player of the Year: Drew Lee, Morehead State
Preseason OVC Co-Player of the Year: Jayson Langfels, Eastern Kentucky
Preseason OVC Co-Pitcher of the Year: Chris Craycraft, Murray State
Preseason OVC Co-Pitcher of the Year: Josh Mueller, Eastern Illinois

C - Jim Klocke, Southeast Missouri
1B - Wes Cunningham, Murray State
2B - Bert Smith, Jacksonville State
SS - Drew Lee, Morehead State
3B - Jayson Langfels, Eastern Kentucky
OF - Daniel Hill, Murray State
OF - J.D. Ashbrook, Morehead State
OF - Daniel Adamson, Jacksonville State
DH - Jason Laws, Murray State
UT - Richie Derbak, Eastern Illinois
SP - Mike Recchia, Eastern Illinois
SP - Chris Craycraft, Murray State
SP - Lee Henry, Tennessee Tech
RP - Bill Henke, Jacksonville State

SWEEP!

I had the pleasure of attending the JSU-Georgia baseball game in Athens last night. When I arrived, the Gamecocks were down 4-0 and UGA had the bases loaded. JSU got out of that jam and battled to make it 4-3, but left a lot of runners on base in the process. Georgia added a few more runs and going into the 8th seemed to have a comfortable lead. In the 8th inning an eruption occurred. JSU pounded UGA unmercifully. When it was finally over, the Gamecocks were 16-8 winners. It was their second win over a nationally ranked team this year.

JSU has an elite coach in Jim Case. He has fielded a team that represents JSU well on and off the field. They can match up with anyone in the Country. If you live within 25 miles of Rudy Abbott field go see this team! They have a double header with Morehead this Saturday. You'll have a chance to see a potential, future major league pitcher in Ben Tootle as well as a team that knocks the cover off the ball. They'll make you proud!

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We Are #1

Deion Sanders once said: "To be the best, you have to beat the best." In front of a record crowd at Rudy Abbott field the JSU baseball team did just that last night defeating #1 ranked Georgia 9-7. You can never replace a legend like Rudy Abbott, but Coach Jim Case is building his own fantastic legacy at JSU. Congrats to the baseball team for this remarkable achievement.

By the way, the baseball team is not the only one knocking off SEC powers. Our softball team, perhaps JSU's finest program on a national level, defeated Ole Miss on the road and plays them again at home today. Good luck Lady Cocks!

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