The Jackson State University baseball team has found its secret weapon.
Joseph Eichelberger, a 5’9 junior from Lithonia, Ga., has wasted no time in making his presence felt on the diamond for the Tigers, quickly elevating himself as one of the premier baseball players in the nation.
Coming into this past weekend’s series against the Braves of Alcorn State University, the Jackson State star center fielder was in a position few have seen. Eichelberger led the NCAA in several statistical categories, including batting average (.690) and on-base percentage (.750), while ranking third in hits (20), hits per game (2.50), and RIBs per game (2.50).
Following a two-run home run in his first at-bat against Mississippi State, Eichelberger was sporting a batting average over .700, a feat few in the sport have ever attained.
So, who exactly is Joseph Eichelberger?
Coming from a family where church is important, Eichelberger has been playing baseball since he was a kid in Georgia. It was in that setting that he was known as a high-energy child during church services, and it was suggested that he put that energy to work by getting involved in sports. His sport of choice was baseball.
“It was like it was just natural for me to play,” recalled Eichelberger. “I started at six, and I have been playing ever since.”
Eichelberger had college offers from Tennessee, Virginia Tech, LSU, and Georgia Tech, to name a few, during his sophomore year of high school before suffering a torn ACL injury in his junior year. After the injury and rehab, Eichelberger found himself with only one offer – that offer coming from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff during his senior year. He accepted that offer with the Golden Lions and would go on to compete as a two-day player. After a year in Pine Bluff, however, he left and landed at Paul D. Camp Community College.
Before playing at Paul D. Camp, Eichelberger had to set out a year after tearing his ACL again while pitching. That’s when he decided to concentrate just on hitting.
After his time at Paul D. Camp, Eichelberger found his way to Jackson State, which he says was a great decision.
“Ending up at Jackson State was a great decision,” says Eichelberger, “and I feel like this is the place for me. I made a great decision.”
What about his prowess on the mound?
“Coach brought me here to put the ball in play,” mentioned Eichelberger. “However, if the coach ever needs me to pitch, I can still do that because I throw heat.”
Source: Jackson State University Sports Media