Colton Jones approved as new Keyser (West Virginia) softball coach

KEYSER, W.Va. (WV News) — The Keyser High School softball program just graduated one of the most successful senior classes in program history. In addition, the program saw the end of coach Chris Shoemaker’s tenure at the helm as well. Shoemaker’s successor has now been named and approved, and it’s none other than former assistant Colton Jones.

Jones is no stranger to Keyser, Keyser High, or the KHS softball program, having coached under both Shoemaker, and before that, coach Craig Rotruck.

“I’ve been with the program now for the last six years, and have been the assistant for the last few, getting my start in the auxiliary position. It’s been great. We’ve had a lot of success and made some good runs over the last two years,” Jones stated.

Just as the last several years have been good ones, Colton sees nothing but good things coming down the pike.

According to Jones, “I’m really excited for the future and what’s to come in the next handful of years.”

Like the last few coaching hires approved and announced at Keyser High School in the past few months, in Colton Jones, KHS is getting an alumnus who is proud and excited to represent his alma mater as a coach.

“I grew up in Keyser and played baseball at Keyser High. I always had an interest after graduation, thinking that I would like to get into coaching. Everything just happened at the right time for me. I got an opportunity and took full advantage of it. I just worked my way up through, and the rest is history,” Jones explained.

According to Colton, “It’s pretty cool to be able to coach where I graduated, and be able to come back and represent such a great community and a great school. It truly is a remarkable feeling.”

What are Jones’ plans for the KHS program? Well, for starters, he’s taking the if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it approach, and is looking to build on a successful framework already laid out.

“I don’t plan on doing a whole lot different than what we’ve done in the past. What coach (Craig) Rotruck and coach (Chris) Shoemaker have done before me is truly remarkable, they put a lot of time and effort into the program.

“I just want to pick up where they left off, and I think we can make some good runs the next few years,” Jones explained.

The key to that success? Good coaching, yes. But for Colton, it all starts with the girls.

“I think it mostly has to do with the girls we’ve had over the last few years. We’ve had some good talent, the girls have bought into the program, they’ve worked extremely hard. It’s always a team effort with these girls, you couldn’t ask for a better group. They really put their all into it and it shows on the field,” Jones explained.

There are big shoes to fill on the roster, none bigger than Alexa Shoemaker, who will be playing at Potomac State next season.

Jones knows you can’t replace a player like that, but is anxious to see what others can do.

“Absolutely. First of all, like with Alexa (Shoemaker), there’s no replacing what she did for the program. There’s a reason why she’s broken a ton of records. You can’t replace that, her career was totally remarkable,” Jones stated.

But, according to Colton, “we’ve got a good group of young, talented players who have already proven their worth on the field as starters. We also have a good group of freshmen coming in.”

Jones likes what he sees from those entering the program.

“We’ve had some summer practices this past week and I liked what I saw with them. Also, with the middle school program. There are some girls coming up that are really going to produce for us, and I’m super excited to get them up here, they will definitely help us out,” Jones detailed.

Another reason to be optimistic about the future, perhaps the biggest reason, is a host of returning talent, to include two ace pitchers.

“Also, when you look at the pitching we have coming back with Rylee and Charity, it’s nice to have two All-State pitchers returning. Both work really hard and I think they’re both going to have a big year for us next year,” Jones stated.

As Jones is no stranger to the program, he’s also know stranger to seeing the hard work, dedication, and support many put into program, this includes parents, alumni, community members, etc. KHS softball really is one big happy family.

“It makes my job a heck of a lot easier. When I first started with the softball group, they always said it’s a big family. I didn’t really understand it at first, but once I got involved in it, it showed that it really is. The support that we get from the school and the community, it’s truly remarkable. There are always people coming up to you asking what they can do to help,” Jones detailed.

According to Colton, “With the Ron Mathias Tournament, it just goes off great. With what Ronna does getting shirts and gift baskets for the girls, it’s unreal. It makes your job as a coach a whole lot easier, and it really is unbelievable what everyone accomplishes in the program.”

Colton Jones has seen first hand what the KHS softball program can accomplish. His goal is to build on those successes.