UTICA, Mich. – Former Central Baptist College baseball player Jalin Lawson has signed a professional contract to continue his baseball career. Lawson signed with the Westside Woolly Mammoths of the United Shore Professional Baseball League on Aug. 7.

“I’m so proud that Jalin is finally getting a pro contract,” Mustangs head baseball coach Dr. Aaron Brister said. “He is a two-time NAIA and NCCAA All-American and put up phenomenal numbers playing here. I am proud of the things he has accomplished and pray that his future in baseball will be a success. Our motto here is ‘Building a Tradition…Leaving a Legacy’. Jalin was a big part of helping build our winning tradition as a Mustang.”

Lawson played two seasons at CBC and was an All-American both years, earning a first-team selection in 2016 and a second team selection in 2017. Lawson had impressive numbers in his seasons at CBC, recording a .403 batting average with 34 home runs and 115 runs batted in, while scoring 135 runs and walking 71 times to just 32 strikeouts.

“We are happy to have him here,” said Justin Orenduff, Director of Baseball Operations for the USPBL. In three contests since signing, Lawson is two-for-eight with two RBIs and three walks.

In just its second season, the USPBL has sent 18 players to Minor League Baseball. The league, which launched in May 2016, plays a 75 game schedule from May-September. All games are played at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica, Mich. For more information about the United Shores Professional Baseball League, visit uspbl.com.

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CONWAY – Two Central Baptist Mustangs were recognized by Natural State Baseball for their outstanding play this season. Jalin Lawson was selected to the All-Arkansas first team at second base and Ben Madison was selected as honorable mention.

Natural State Baseball recognizes players only from programs in Arkansas.

Lawson led CBC in every major offensive category this season, posting a .392 batting average, 11 home runs and 50 RBIs to go along with 22 doubles and 20 stolen bases. This is Lawson’s third award this season, having garnered second team All-America status from both the NCCAA and the NAIA.

Madison was one of the top pitchers in the American Midwest Conference this past season, posting a 6-4 record with a 3.71 ERA and an AMC leading 129 strikeouts. Madison is earning his third award after having been named AMC Newcomer Pitcher of the Year and a first-team NCCAA All-American.

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GREENVILLE, S.C. – Three Central Baptist College baseball players, Ben Madison (SO/Benton, AR), Jalin Lawson(SR/Troy, AL) and Cole Johnson (SR/Fordyce, AR), were selected for National Christian College Athletic Association awards this morning. Madison was chosen as a first team All-American, Lawson was selected to the second team and Johnson received Scholar Athlete recognition.

Madison had a great moment this season when he struck out 16 batters in a no-hitter against Martin Methodist on Feb. 19. He finished the season with a 6-4 record and a team leading 129 strikeouts. He was the only pitcher in the American Midwest Conference to post over 100 K’s this season, doing so in just 80 innings pitched.

“Ben is the most athletic pitcher I have ever had,” said CBC head baseball coach Dr. Aaron Brister. “Topping out at 95 mph on the radar gun. He is definitely a swing and miss guy. He was very impressive to watch. It’s going to be great having him leading the charge of the Mighty Mustangs in 2018.”

Lawson led CBC in every offensive category, including a .392 batting average, 11 home runs and 50 runs batted in. The batting average and home runs were fourth best in the AMC, while he finished tied for fifth in RBI’s.

“Jalin is probably the purest power hitter that I’ve ever coached. He has an unbelievable eye for the ball. Anyone that only has eight strikeouts on the year can really trust his hands and compete,” Brister said about Lawson.

Johnson graduated summa cum laude this past year with a degree in Health Sciences. He finished the season with a 3-0 record and 2.48 ERA in 40 innings, including one save.

“Cole had an unbelieve year,” Brister said. “He was a transfer from UCA (Central Arkansas) and struggled last season finding his place on the staff. This year that was not the case. He was our go to guy out of the ‘pen and was a huge part of the reason we competed so well late in the regular season.”

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2017 NAIA Baseball Preseason All-America Team. The 17-member squad was chosen by the NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association (NAIA-BCA) All-America Committee.

Two-time NAIA First Team All-American Keivan Berges of Keiser (Fla.), who was also a preseason honoree last year, headlines this season’s selections. Last season, the designated hitter ranked among the top 10 nationally in home runs (21), total bases (180), RBI (80), total hits (99) and slugging percentage (.776). Berges boasts a .378 career batting average and .667 slugging percentage.

Peyton Deiters of Kansas Wesleyan and Jalin Lawson of Central Baptist (Ark.) are the other 2016 First Team All-America selections included on the list. Deiters ranked No. 4 nationally in RBI (81) a season ago, while Lawson listed among the top five in four statistical categories – home runs (23), runs scored (81), slugging percentage (.877) and total bases (178). Lawson was a key component of a Central Baptist club that made its first-ever appearance in the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round in 2016.

Five other individuals that were named to the 2016 second team at the end of last season garnered a position on the preseason unit – Andy Mocahbee of Middle Georgia State, Gregg Veneklasen of Wayland Baptist (Texas), Andrew Gross of Houston-Victoria (Texas), Brandon Guske of Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) and Ben McKendall of Bellevue (Neb.).

There are two individuals on the squad whose program participated in the 2016 Avista-NAIA Baseball World Series last season – Dillon White of Science & Arts and McKendall.

2017 NAIA Baseball Preseason All-America Team

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