Jones to play in NCAA Division II

The CNMI’s Josh Jones gets ready to pitch for Colby Community College during a game last season in Kansas. Jones is moving to Alabama to play in NCAA Division II’s University of West Alabama.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The University of West Alabama’s athletics website reported that the lefty pitcher has signed a national letter of intent to play baseball for the Tigers and Jones, in a message to Saipan Tribune, confirmed the latest development in his blossoming future in the sport.

“I signed up with University of West Alabama two weeks ago. Other schools, like the Mesa Colorado University, McPherson University, Friends University, Emporia State University, Washburn University, William Jewel University, and Northwestern Oklahoma University were also interested in me. However, I chose West Alabama because I know I have more opportunities to keep playing baseball at a higher level,” Jones said.

West Alabama is in the Gulf South Conference with 10 other schools, including the recently crowned tournament champion Alabama Hunstville. West Alabama finished the 2014 regular season with a 27-18 record and was ranked fifth in the conference. Gary Rundles is the Tigers’ head coach, while Nick McCurdy is one of the assistants and the pitching coach.

“I talked to the Alabama coach and he said that he really wants me there because he knew I can compete at a higher level. He really liked that I could throw strikes, hit spots, and execute my pitches really well,” said Jones, the 2011 NMASA Male Athlete of the Year.

Before moving to Alabama, Jones played for the Colby Community College in the National Junior College Athletics Association for two years. At the Trojans he had an 11-5 career record and struck out 129 batters. He registered 3.25 ERA in his first season with Colby and improved to 2.80 in his second and last year.

“My coaches in Colby say that with my skills, I am ready to compete in the NCAA level and will pitch lots of innings for West Alabama. Playing with the Trojans got me ready for the upcoming level because I pitched a lot against NCAA Division 1 dropout players. I became a better pitcher,” said Jones, who was also an outstanding student at Colby, getting straight As in eight subjects last semester.

With Jones getting ready to see action with his new team, he will not be able to suit up anew for the CNMI National Team in the 2014 Micronesian Games in Pohnpei in July. The Kagman High School graduate pitched for the CNMI in the 2010 Micronesian Games, shutting out Palau in the elimination round and striking out 42 batters for an impressive 0.11 ERA.

“I would like to wish the CNMI baseball team the best of luck In the Micro Games,” Jones said.

Jones also would like to thank his former coaches for helping him reach his potential.

“ I would like to thank all my coaches that helped me throughout my journey. Thank you, too to my Jones family from the village of Achugao. That village is where baseball started for the family with tennis balls and homemade wooded bats, it is where memories and histories were made,” the 20-year-old pitcher said.