PRAIRIE GROVE -- All-Conference pitcher/outfielder D.J. Pearson isn't done playing baseball following his senior season at Prairie Grove High School in 2018.
Pearson will continue his career at Central Baptist College of Conway. He showed major improvement in baseball and basketball becoming an impact player as a senior after flashing potential as a junior.
"Really, the biggest thing was confidence," Pearson said. "I really had to believe in myself to be successful."
He attributed the difference to playing summer baseball two seasons with high school teammates and summer basketball last year with the Arkansas Wings, noting the high school game for each sport is much slower than the pace played in AAU ball.
"Those two years really helped my senior class and me," Pearson said, of the development for Tiger baseball players in the offseason.
He toured the CBC campus the week before making a verbal commitment and is excited about playing baseball there.
"Baseball is the biggest sport at that school," Pearson said. "It's a small campus, only 11 acres. I feel like I'll be able to improve at that small campus and I won't be distracted."
In an online post last Wednesday Prairie Grove baseball coach Chris Mileham announced Pearson's opportunity, "A huge congratulations to D.J. Pearson, who has committed to furthering his education and baseball career at Central Baptist College! D.J. was 2018 All-Conference and Pitcher-of-the-Year for our Tigers last spring."
Pearson's play contributed much as Prairie Grove compiled a 14-18 record, two wins shy of the .500 mark Mileham was aiming for by season's end. The Tigers placed second at the district tournament and fourth at Regionals before suffering a narrow loss in their first state tournament appearance with Mileham at the helm.
In his senior season Pearson's leadership showed up on the field in the dual roles of leadoff hitter and No. 1 pitcher.
Playing in 31 games, Pearson had 8 starts on the mound, and threw the most pitches of anyone on Prairie Grove's roster with 756. Pearson posted a 2.12 earned-run average with a 5-2 record.
His 43 innings pitched were the second most of any Tiger. Pearson was edged out by Garrett Heltemes, who led the team with 43.2. Pearson allowed 30 runs on 39 hits, but only 13 runs were earned. His strike-out (47) to base-on-balls (26) ratio was nearly 2-1. Pearson faced 207 batters with 174 at-bats. He limited wild pitches to 3, and only hit 7 batters with pitches.
Pearson said CBC pitching coach Duffy Guyton is one of the main reasons why he chose CBC. Guyton was drafted out of high school by Major League Baseball, but opted not to sign because his parents wanted him to attend college. Eventually, he worked his way into the big league.
"I feel like I need someone, who has experience, not only at this level, but at the top level," Pearson said.
At the plate, Pearson knocked out 22 hits in 91 at-bats. In 105 plate appearances, his batting average was .242 with 12 runs scored, 11 RBIs and 2 doubles. Pearson drew 13 walks and struck out 25 times. He was left on-base 57 times, second to Chase Wade (62) and stole 2 bases. Pearson's fielding percentage was .933 with 4 errors.
"It's more of a business decision because I know I can play basketball at the next level," Pearson said of choosing baseball, which typically affords a longer playing career. "In baseball you can (play) 20 seasons easy if you're healthy."
CBC began as Conway Baptist College in September 1952. The name of the institution was changed in 1962. According to its website, CBC has grown to more than 700 students with over 50 full-time faculty members. The expanded curriculum includes a wide variety of baccalaureate degree programs. Although many things have changed since 1952, CBC still remains committed to its mission and constantly strives to provide a quality, Christ-focused education for all its students.
Sports on 07/18/2018