June 8, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis Head Coach Daron Schoenrock announced today that Arlington High School standout pitcher Jonathan Van Eaton signed to play his college baseball career in the Blue and Gray.

"We really enjoyed following Jonathan's career at Arlington High School," said Schoenrock. "Coach Ring and Coach Thees have done an excellent job of preparing him for the next level. We expect Jonathan to come in and contribute for a significant role of some kind [because of his competitive nature] very early."

A four-year letterwinner for Head Coach Chris Ring, Van Eaton, put up record-setting numbers in his prep career at Arlington High School. The 6-1, 185-pounder holds the career mark for wins (15), innings pitched (185) and strikeouts (184). He is also Arlington's single-season record holder with 68 strikeouts in 78 innings in 2008.

Van Eaton earned First Team All-Metro and All-Region accolades in 2008-09. He was also a three-time 14AAA All-District selection (2006, 2008-09). Van Eaton helped the Tigers to their first state tournament appearance in 2008 and a 22-15 finish in 2009. A 2009 USA Classic National High School All-Tournament pick, Van Eaton went 5-2 as a senior to guide AHS to a fourth-place finish in the TBR West Tennessee Poll.

Van Eaton has been a fixture on the APAK 18-U All-Star's pitching staff for the last two season, racking up a 5-2 record. In the summer of 2008 he made six starts and went 4-2 with a 2.72 ERA. He fanned 24 and led the staff with 36.1 innings pitched en route to being tabbed the squad's top pitcher. He has gotten the 2009 summer off to a strong start, striking out six in a seven-inning complete-game effort in his first and only outing.