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Jackson headed to Armstrong Atlantic State
Jun 23, 2008 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Written by Jeremy Stewart, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer, published 6/14/08
As a four-year varsity baseball player at Darlington, Ben Jackson could be looked upon to be a role model for the rest of the team. Now the pitcher has a new team to contribute to after the graduate signed to play for Armstrong Atlantic State University on Friday.
“He definitely brought leadership to our team,” Darlington head coach Chad Woods said. “He leads by example and him signing with Armstrong Atlantic shows that hard work does pay off.”
Jackson finished with a 2-3 record in his senior season with the Tigers and pitched 41 and 1/3 innings. He struck out 33 batters and gave up 16 earned runs for a 2.71 ERA. He was named a Rome News-Tribune All-Area Honorable Mention.
Woods said that Jackson matured the most in his junior year as he developed his changeup. “That’s when he really started using it properly,” Woods said. “I honestly believe his change-up has gotten him to the college level.”
Woods said that Jackson would more than likely start out as a reliever for the Division II Pirates. He could then move on to a starting role as a sophomore. “But if he has a good fall, you never know,” Woods said.
Jackson was the senior member of Darlington’s rotation this season that included junior Brice Baker and sophomore Chase Butler.
Armstrong Atlantic, which competes in the Peach Belt Conference, will also be home to two more local prospects — Rome High’s Auston Thomas and Cory Thacker. “It’s a great fit for Ben and a great program,” Woods said of the South Georgia school. “You can’t beat Savannah.”
As a four-year varsity baseball player at Darlington, Ben Jackson could be looked upon to be a role model for the rest of the team. Now the pitcher has a new team to contribute to after the graduate signed to play for Armstrong Atlantic State University on Friday.
“He definitely brought leadership to our team,” Darlington head coach Chad Woods said. “He leads by example and him signing with Armstrong Atlantic shows that hard work does pay off.”
Jackson finished with a 2-3 record in his senior season with the Tigers and pitched 41 and 1/3 innings. He struck out 33 batters and gave up 16 earned runs for a 2.71 ERA. He was named a Rome News-Tribune All-Area Honorable Mention.
Woods said that Jackson matured the most in his junior year as he developed his changeup. “That’s when he really started using it properly,” Woods said. “I honestly believe his change-up has gotten him to the college level.”
Woods said that Jackson would more than likely start out as a reliever for the Division II Pirates. He could then move on to a starting role as a sophomore. “But if he has a good fall, you never know,” Woods said.
Jackson was the senior member of Darlington’s rotation this season that included junior Brice Baker and sophomore Chase Butler.
Armstrong Atlantic, which competes in the Peach Belt Conference, will also be home to two more local prospects — Rome High’s Auston Thomas and Cory Thacker. “It’s a great fit for Ben and a great program,” Woods said of the South Georgia school. “You can’t beat Savannah.”
