FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University freshman baseball pitcher Ryan Jones/Fredericksburg has been named the Longwood Male ARMS Software Athlete of the Week. The right-hander made three relief appearances last week, totaling 6.1 scoreless innings, while picking up his first collegiate win. He collected the victory with 3.1 shutout innings against North Carolina Central on April 23, scattering three hits with four strikeouts and no walks, and also tossed the final 3.0 scoreless innings versus Presbyterian on April 26, allowing one hit with two strikeouts and no walks. Jones has made five appearances this season with a 1-0 record and 1.80 earned run average over 10.0 innings with nine strikeouts and two walks.
Question and Answer Session with Ryan Jones and Ashley Robbins
AR: Talk a little about your recent success as a walk-on to the baseball team this year.
RJ: It’s definitely really exciting starting to play a lot more, especially because I’m playing well. Being a walk-on, you come in weeks after everyone else, so the coaches don’t see you as much. Now that I’m getting to play, I’m glad that I’m doing well.
AR: What have you worked on and focused on most this season?
RJ: Just trying to get better every day. My high school coaches used to tell me to get one percent better every day, so I try to do that. I just try to do something every day to get better.
AR: What are your goals for the rest of the season, as an individual and for the team?
RJ: As a team, I want to make the Big South Tournament and win it. Individually, I don’t want to give up another run.
AR: What has been some of the best advice you’ve gotten from the coaches since you’ve been here?
RJ: Just to relax. When you go out there, you are usually really nervous, but if you can just relax and realize you’ve been playing the same game since you were five years old, you’re going to be fine.
AR: What advice would you give to someone aspiring to play Division I baseball?
RJ: Don’t take any days off. You have to work at it every day, even once you make it. You have to continue to work every day to get better. It doesn’t just come naturally.
AR: Who would you say is the funniest person on the team?
RJ: Luke Simpson is the funniest person on the team. The way he says things and the way he acts just makes me laugh.
AR: Is there anyone you consider to be a role model on the team?
RJ: Ryan Schubert, a senior pitcher, was also a walk-on when he came to Longwood. He helped me through the early months a lot and has been a really good role model for me.
AR: Do you have anyone in your everyday life you consider to be a role model?
RJ: I try to be like my mom, how she puts others before herself all the time.
AR: What drew you to Longwood?
RJ: Well, VMI recruited me, but I knew I didn’t want to go there. I could have played baseball at the Division III level, but I decided to try and walk on here instead because I just really liked the campus and the atmosphere. I had heard good things from everybody and not a lot of people from my high school were coming here. I wanted a new experience, so that’s why I came here.
AR: Favorite meal? Favorite music? Favorite place on campus?
RJ: Definitely a good steak is my favorite food. I like country music. The baseball field is my favorite place on campus because for those few hours a day you don’t have to worry about anything else besides playing the sport you love.
