Eastern Michigan Athletics
Jones Named to Buster Posey Award Watch List
3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM | Baseball
The senior is one of 69 catchers across Division I baseball to be nominated for the award
Greater Wichita Sports Commission Release
WICHITA, Kan. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University baseball senior captain Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) has been named to the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Watch List, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced, March 10.
"This is a great honor to see my name on this list," began Jones. "There are some great backstops on that list and I'm thankful that the work put in is being brought to the light. A lot of credit goes to Coach Roof as he has worked with me to become the catcher I am, and the pitching staff because they've been awesome so far this year. My favorite part about the position is being in every play and being someone that the pitching staff trusts behind the plate, so I'm excited to continue that with my brothers. I'm extremely thankful for this honor."
A four-time team captain, Jones led the team with a .321 batting average, 17 hits, and five multiple-hit games over 14 starts as the team's primary catcher in 2020. So far in 2021, he has recorded two hits and two RBIs, while also drawing four walks, which is tied for the team lead.
"Many players are great, but Nick Jones is special," said Head Coach Eric Roof. "In his five years with our program, it is safe to say that he is the heartbeat of our team, as evidenced by the fact that his fellow teammates have elected him as a team captain in four consecutive seasons. Whether someone has known him their whole life, or has just met him for the first time, Nick is the kind of person that can and does inspire everyone, in any situation. On the field, he is an incredibly reliable catcher, willing to do whatever it takes to captain our team, make his fellow infielders better, and help lead us to victory. Very few players make an impact like the one Nick has made on this program. We will miss him greatly following the season, but know that his impact on our team, this season, and life beyond baseball will be incredibly noteworthy."
The Buster Posey Award honors the top Division I catcher in collegiate baseball. Semifinalists will be announced on May 20 with finalists announced on June 7. The award presentation will be held in Wichita, Kan., at a to-be-determined date.
Eastern returns to the diamond Friday, March 12, in Starkville, Miss. as they take on No. 3 Mississippi State at 6 p.m., central time.
To stay up to date on all things EMU baseball, continue to check EMUEagles.com, or follow the team on Twitter, @EMU_Baseball.
"This is a great honor to see my name on this list," began Jones. "There are some great backstops on that list and I'm thankful that the work put in is being brought to the light. A lot of credit goes to Coach Roof as he has worked with me to become the catcher I am, and the pitching staff because they've been awesome so far this year. My favorite part about the position is being in every play and being someone that the pitching staff trusts behind the plate, so I'm excited to continue that with my brothers. I'm extremely thankful for this honor."
A four-time team captain, Jones led the team with a .321 batting average, 17 hits, and five multiple-hit games over 14 starts as the team's primary catcher in 2020. So far in 2021, he has recorded two hits and two RBIs, while also drawing four walks, which is tied for the team lead.
"Many players are great, but Nick Jones is special," said Head Coach Eric Roof. "In his five years with our program, it is safe to say that he is the heartbeat of our team, as evidenced by the fact that his fellow teammates have elected him as a team captain in four consecutive seasons. Whether someone has known him their whole life, or has just met him for the first time, Nick is the kind of person that can and does inspire everyone, in any situation. On the field, he is an incredibly reliable catcher, willing to do whatever it takes to captain our team, make his fellow infielders better, and help lead us to victory. Very few players make an impact like the one Nick has made on this program. We will miss him greatly following the season, but know that his impact on our team, this season, and life beyond baseball will be incredibly noteworthy."
The Buster Posey Award honors the top Division I catcher in collegiate baseball. Semifinalists will be announced on May 20 with finalists announced on June 7. The award presentation will be held in Wichita, Kan., at a to-be-determined date.
Eastern returns to the diamond Friday, March 12, in Starkville, Miss. as they take on No. 3 Mississippi State at 6 p.m., central time.
To stay up to date on all things EMU baseball, continue to check EMUEagles.com, or follow the team on Twitter, @EMU_Baseball.
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