Jason Walker: The Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week

ROCKINGHAM — Jason Walker, a junior baseball player, has been named the Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week presented by Rockingham NC Self Storage.

An impressive stretch by the Raider baseball team to end the regular season was aided by Walker’s efforts on the mound and at the plate. Richmond went 3-0 in its final three regular-season games to clinch second place in the Sandhills Athletic Conference.

Looking to close out his first season as a starter for the varsity Raiders strong, Walker cemented his first career accolade.

Athletic Profile

Year: Junior

Spring sport: Baseball

Positions: Pitcher/Infielder

Varsity experience: 1 season

“CLASSROOM CREDITS” WITH JASON WALKER

Walker is both an honors student at Richmond Senior High School and a dual-enrollment student at Richmond Community College.

Working toward a two-year degree while still in high school, Walker earned credits in Spanish 111 and Math 143 during the fall semester. At the high school, he had an A average in English III Honors and Weight Training Honors.

Starting the spring semester with a 4.175 weighted GPA, Walker is taking all four of his courses at Richmond this spring. He’s currently in three honors classes — Chemistry Honors, Civic Literacy Honors and Weight Training Honors — as well as Marketing I.

“This school year is going well and my favorite class this semester is Marketing,” Walker said. “It’s been an interesting class and I’ve enjoyed learning how businesses operate with marketing to try and grow and how there are so many different ways to market.

“I’m most proud of passing my dual-enrollment classes,” he added. “After I graduate, I want to attend a four-year college and play baseball. Right now I’m interested in a career in marketing.”

“DIALED IN” WITH JASON WALKER

The Raiders finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak, which featured a sweep over Scotland High School and their second win of the season against Union Pines High School.

Walker was a catalyst for the Raiders at the plate and on the mound, leading the team with a .545 batting average (6-for-11) during that span. All six of his hits were singles, seeing four of them come in an 11-6 win on the road at Scotland Tuesday.

Also in the game, Walker plated one run batted in and scored twice.

Two nights later, Walker boosted the team to a 4-1 win on senior night against the Fighting Scots. This time it was his arm that did all the work, as he threw his first complete game of the season.

Walker faced 25 batters, just four over the minimum, on 73 pitches. He allowed one unearned run on four hits and struck out six batters (four looking). Stranding three runners on base, Walker retired Scotland in order in four of his seven innings.

Capping a four-run bottom of the second inning, Walker recorded an RBI on a fielder’s choice.

Closing out the week Friday, the Raiders cruised past Union Pines 10-0 in six innings. Walker, who started at second base, went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles. He also scored a run in the bottom of the first inning.

During the regular season, Walker posted the following stat line — a .333 batting average (second on the team, minimum 10 at-bats) with nine hits, five RBI and eight runs scored.

On the mound, he’s recorded a 2-2 record with 33 strikeouts in 30.1 innings pitched (second most innings and Ks on the team).

The No. 2 Raiders (13-8) begin the first round of the SAC tournament Monday against No. 7 Hoke County High School (2-20). First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO WITH JASON WALKER

The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Student-Athletes of the Week next week.