Sean Hughes commits to play baseball at Boston College in 2016

By John Harvey
HarveySports757@yahoo.com

JAMES CITY -- Sean Hughes has verbally committed to play baseball at Boston College in 2016.

The Jamestown High product had a breakthrough season this spring, emerging as one of the top pitchers in the Bay Rivers District. He led the Eagles in wins, going 5-2 with a 1.99 earned-run average. He surrendered just 13 earned runs on 28 hits and struck out 75 in 45 2/3 innings of work.

"I had offers from multiple schools, but when it came down to it, I couldn't see myself not going to BC," Hughes said. "When I first got to BC for a visit in early July, the first person I met with after the head coach was an academic advisor, which made a huge impression that this visit was not all about baseball. The Jesuit education would play a key role in my development as a person as well."

Hughes wowed coaches this spring with his new found velocity. The rising senior worked with former William and Mary standout Bill Bray on refining his delivery and the work showed. He regularly hit 90+ on the radar gun. He also credits personal training with Marmon Muscle for his success.

"My progression this offseason was due to lots of hard work, in the gym and on the mound," he said. "I wasn't always throwing , but I would still go out on the mound and work on mechanics. I had lots of help from my Jamestown and Post 39 coaches on synching my timing and mechanics together.  did something baseball-related almost every day in the offseason, even on snow days."

This summer he has continued to excel. He has struck out 16 batters in nine innings for Williamsburg Post 39. Earlier this month, he had a strong showing at the Commonwealth Games.

"When it came to games, I got lots of insight from my coaches and they trusted me with the ball and I had to go to work," he said. "I had two great catchers. (Brad) Vandygriff (at Jamestown) and (Collan) Cryts (for Post 39). MY coaches called the games and gave me the best chance to keep hitters off balance."

"Over the past 3 months, Sean lit up the radar guns and impressed many college coaches on the East Coast," said Jamestown coach Michael Kuebler. "After visiting many colleges this summer, he felt that Boston College was the one for him both academically and athletically. Our coaching staff at Jamestown is so proud of what Sean has accomplished so far.  He is a testament to what could happen when you focus on a goal and work as hard as he does.  But we know that the really hard work has just begun."

Hughes is ready for the challenge. "I'm going to have to work really hard in both the classroom and the field if I'm going to have success."
 
Harvey can be reached at HarveySports757 or via Twitter @HarveySports757







: