Eason holds signing ceremony for Pfeiffer baseball

ROCKINGHAM — A summer filled with a lot of success on the baseball diamond for James Eason added another milestone Thursday.

A night after pitching a complete game for the Hamlet American Legion baseball team to clinch the division title, the recent Richmond Senior High School graduate held a signing day ceremony at Raider Field.

Set up at home plate, a table draped in his No. 8 Raider jerseys and hats from his lifetime of baseball was flanked by the black and gold of Pfeiffer University.

Shortly after his senior baseball season ended in May, Eason verbally committed to play Division III baseball for the Falcons. He made it official Thursday when he inked his celebratory signing form.

“It means a whole lot to me that everyone came out to my signing today,” Eason shared. “To know that I have such a big support system behind me as I start my college career is a good feeling.

“It finally feels official and I’m ready to go play at Pfeiffer,” he added with a smile. “I’ll be working hard the whole first semester to get ready for our season in the spring.”

Present for the signing were Eason’s parents Michael and Aimee, his older brother Cody, along with other family members. Several of his Raider baseball teammates and former classmates joined in the celebration.

Eric Brown only coached Eason for one season at Richmond this past spring, but the two shared in Eason’s goal to become a college baseball player.

Brown spoke to Eason’s success as the Raiders’ ace this spring, as well as his maturation as a player and as a person. He added that Pfeiffer is getting a “gamer.”

“What makes James a college player is his overall ability,” Brown said. “He’s a coach’s dream in the fact that he’s a gamer. He’s one of those guys you have to bring back down instead of get up for a game. I love the way he plays.

“Some things were new for him during his senior season, but credit to him for proving what he could do on the field. James had a really good year for us and we hate to see him go. I’m really happy for him to see him achieve the first part of his dream of playing college baseball.”

Also present was Jamie McDonald, who coached Eason while at Rockingham Middle School.

McDonald praised Eason’s efforts on and off the field, saying “I hear a lot of good things about James around the community, and it’s never about baseball first. It’s always about his character and the great young man he’s become.”

In addition to being a four-year member of the Raider baseball team, Eason played soccer for head coach Chris Larsen for four years. Larsen wished Eason luck in his future endeavors and also spoke about his success on the pitch.

Eason attended his orientation at Pfeiffer earlier this week and said he’s looking forward to moving to Misenheimer, N.C., later this summer. He also hopes to make a quick impact on the Falcons’ program.

“I hope that I can prove to everyone that I have the skills that I need to be successful at the college level,” Eason said.

“I want to thank my family and God,” he concluded. “I know they’re always there and He’s always there to support me. And I want to thank all of my coaches who have helped me get to where I am today.”

Planning to major in health and exercise science, Eason and the No. 1 Hamlet 49ers will open the Area 2 Conference playoffs Monday at home at 7 p.m.

Below are photos of Eason’s signing, taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.