MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Hurricane junior pitcher Jonathan Blackwell was named to the 2018 Rawlings Perfect Game underclass preseason All-American team.
The first, second and third teams recognize 300 players total from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico who are either juniors, sophomores or freshmen. The list does not include current seniors.
Blackwell, who is committed to play for Coastal Carolina, has 27 strikeouts and surrendered zero runs in just 11 innings so far this season for Class AAA No. 1 Hurricane (7-0).
Blackwell is the only in-state underclassman on the first three teams, but a few other players were also recognized.
St. Albans junior standout and WVU commit Jake Carr received high honorable mention honors, along with Scott junior pitcher Carter Lyles, also committed to WVU.
Junior Nick Loftis from St. Albans, Wheeling Park junior pitcher Ben Taylor, St. Joseph Central sophomore pitcher Lenny Washington and Cabell Midland junior Griffin Adkins all received honorable mention.
Junior lefty Cody Sharp of Spring Valley, while not on Perfect Game’s list, is a D-I prospect as well who is committed to Marshall. Sharp entered the weekend with 17 strikeouts on the young season and 1.80 ERA.