Wright excels in Michigan independent league
When Beavers, Diamond Hoppers, Unicorns and Woolly Mammoths come together on a baseball field, that’s got the making of an epic all-star game.
On Aug. 14, it’s exactly what the United Shore Professional Baseball League dialed up for Jimmy John’s Field in Utica, Michigan.
One of the numbers called was that of former Arlington High School and Northwest Mississippi Community College right-hander Jarod Wright, a member of the Westside Woolly Mammoths. And, while he didn’t get to pitch in the independent league’s Midsummer Classic — having just thrown four innings two days earlier — Wright has been heard loud and clear with his actions on the mound.
Wright has a 1.93 ERA in eight appearances. He’s started six of those contests and has struck out 27 in 322⁄3 innings pitched.
“It’s a really cool opportunity to be pitching in a league filled with a bunch of ex-college and ex-affiliated minorleague players,” he said. “We have guys that were drafted from the first round to the 25th round. In my case, the draft didn’t quite turn in my favor, but this door was open. We’re still being scouted, so it’s a cool way to keep playing and chasing our dream.”
Upon completing his sophomore season at Northwest, where he had a 9-3 record in 2017, Wright transferred to Southern Miss. He went 3-1 as a junior in 18 appearances. Wright went on to graduate with a degree in business administration.
“If I hadn’t pursued baseball, I would have gone to grad school for health care administration and hopefully run a hospital. I could always still do that,” he said, “but I’ve worked really hard for this. Even the possibility of not having a season because of COVID was kind of tough, but they made a way. I’m obviously very grateful for that. I just hit the ground running — after preparing as hard as I could during the offseason.”
Said former Arlington baseball coach Chris Ring: “I’ve never had a player that could throw the ball and would throw as much as he does. He never stopped — he was chunking all the time. And he’s still chunking today. I think obviously his work ethic physically allowed him to get the most out of that gift that God gave him with that arm.”
Although the majority of his playing career has been in the South, this isn’t the first bit of Northern exposure for Wright. Prior to reporting to Hattiesburg, he spent the summer of 2018 playing in Minnesota for the Mankato Moondogs of the Northwoods League.
“Baseball has taken me so many places,” he said. “I’ve been exposed to many different parts of the United States and different cultures. Honestly, I love it. People are extremely nice up here. I have a great host family. I’ve got teammates from all over the country.
“(The USPBL) really focuses on development and tries to prepare you for the next level. I expect to keep throwing well — and to see where it takes me.”
Added Ring: “Jarod’s a fun guy to watch. He’s always had a positive attitude. He’s going to be successful in whatever he does.”
Lynx lauded
Eleven Rhodes College athletes were recently inducted into the 2019-20 Southern Athletic Association Sigma Alpha Alpha Honor Society. The Lynx list included: Sara Kate Capel, who participated in women’s swimming & diving and track & field/cross country, Ritwik Chatterjee (men’s tennis), Tyler Cohen (men’s golf), Carly Cone and Katelyn Curtis (women’s soccer), Ben Griffith (men’s track & field/cross country), Elise Moix (women’s track & field/cross country), Victoria Palazzetti (field hockey), Madison Rubino (women’s lacrosse), Trey Sledge (baseball) and Grace Tolan (women’s swimming & diving). To be considered, the athlete had to have graduated this past spring with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, earned first- or secondteam ALL-SAA honors during their career and competed in their senior season. Overall, the SAA recognized 59 individuals.
Ranger recognition
Even with the fate of the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference season still up in the air, seven members of the Northwest Mississippi Community College football team are in the Jcgridiron.com watch-list spotlight. That list of Rangers includes: Quarterback Hunter Hulsey, tailback Jaquerrious Williams, receivers Jacoby Jones and Cameron Wynn, defensive tackle Nijel Mcgriff, outside linebacker Kevin Smith and safety Jarvis Townsend. Northwest has averaged 8.8 victories in its last five seasons. All National Junior College Athletic Association conferences have postponed their fall sports until the spring of 2021.
Aces on the links
Chip Grayson aced the 200-yard No. 10 using a 4-hybrid at Memphis Country Club.
Richard Mallory aced the 168-yard No. 7 using an 8-iron at Memphis Country Club.
Leigh Mullen aced the 92-yard No. 5 using a 7-hybrid at Galloway.
Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact Chris Van Tuyl at christopher.vantuyl@commercialappeal.com