BY MILES LAYTON
A dynamic duo of Aces’ student athletes has signed the line to play ball at Pitt Community College.
Maddox Bass, a star baseball player, and Jordyn Ward, a top softball player, will trade their Aces’ blue for PCC’s uniforms next season.
Winner of the Coach Henry Overton Memorial Scholarship, Bass has a batting average of .439 and an on-base percentage of .500 according to Maxpreps. Bass is ranked in the top 108 nationally for pitching, top 7 in North Carolina, and top 2 in Division 2A East. More often than not, Bass does not allow a hit, sending batters to the box with sad emojis.
Winner of the Nucor Scholarship, Ward has a batting average of .327 and an on-base percentage of .507 according to Maxpreps. Ward is ranked in the top 48 in Division 2A East and the top 14 in Northeastern Coastal 2A/3A.
Aces’ Athletic Director Wes Mattera said community college is a great way to continue playing ball and pursue an education.
“If you’re being honest with yourself and you’re looking at the landscape of college athletics, community college is actually one of the best places to go right now to try to find your fit because the portal’s pushing everybody down,” he said. “It’s getting logged jammed. People are transferring all over the place. But community college is a true way for you to find yourself. It’s not as expensive, and you can figure out what you wanna do.”
Mattera continued, “And if you wanna play two years and then transfer up or you wanna play two years and then go to a four-year school, it opens a lot of avenues for you, so I think that’s a pretty wise decision by both our athletes today.”
Why should a newspaper cover athlete signings? Because Aces like Bass and Ward are role models, so perhaps stories like this will inspire others to succeed.
Pitt CC’s baseball program has emerged as a perennial national contender that consistently produces several student-athletes who have continued their baseball careers at four-year institutions and professionally. Pitt CC has won five Region Tournament Titles and have made two appearances at the NJCAA World Series. Several former Bulldogs who have reached the Major Leagues include Freddie Bynum, Lonnie Chisenhall and Jeff Ferrell.
“What I’m saying about Maddox is, and it’s the thing that sticks with me, is, not only is he a great baseball player that fits good, but also the person that Maddox is,” Aces’ Coach Delton Stallings said. “Maddox is a good student-athlete, and he’s a role model for our community and, honestly, our other baseball players with what he’s done. He’s the first to help others. You see him at the community leagues. He’s down volunteering doing things like that to try to make our program and our community more successful.”
Pitt CC’s softball program has flourished on the diamond since its inception in the early 2000’s. In addition to producing numerous All-Region performers, Pitt CC’s softball program is also known for producing NJCAA Academic All-Americans. The program has recorded several Region Championships and five National Tournament appearances, including back-to-back runs in 2010-2011 and 2017-18.
“Jordyn will work hard. She’ll do good for Pitt, and, I think she’ll enjoy it as long as she’s there. Congratulations,” Aces’ Assistant Coach Chad Cobb said.
Ranked as a Major with the Aces’ JROTC, Ward is a leader on and off the field.
“She has really stepped up to the plate. She has done numerous events, community service, and I mean, just been a strong leader in our program, well rounded,” JROTC Instructor, Lieutenant Colonel Neil Parks said. “And like I said the other night at the JROTC banquet, you’re leaving a void, and you’ll will be missed. You really will. So congratulations. This is a hard earned, and I know you’re gonna go far.”
