The Preps : Boys’ Athlete of the Week : Jones Makes Pitch for Scholarship

Monte Jones of Tustin High School has dreamed about getting a scholarship to play baseball at college.

Any college.

“That was my goal even before I got to high school,” Jones said. “I knew I wanted to compete in baseball, whether it was for a four-year school or a community college.”

But although he had a 9-4 record last season as a junior, few scouts or recruiters came to see him pitch.

“Nobody ever talked to me about playing until this year,” Jones said. “There was only one scout who ever came to see me pitch and he kept telling colleges about me.”

Finally, somebody listened.

Cal State Northridge came calling this year. It took Jones, oh, about three seconds to say yes.

As it turns out, Northridge might have gotten a steal.

Jones, The Times’ athlete of the week, is wrapping up another good season. On Friday, he pitched a no-hitter, striking out 15, in Tustin’s 4-0 victory over Calexico in the first round of the Southern Section 3-A playoffs.

For the season, Jones is 10-2 with an 0.96 earned-run average and 125 strikeouts.

Those are statistics that would attract most scouts and recruiters. However, part of Jones’ problem is that he’s a two-sport star.

Jones was a starting quarterback and safety on the Tillers’ football team.

“Monte didn’t play baseball during the summer and fall because of football,” Tustin Coach Vince Brown said. “That’s the time when colleges are looking at kids. They can’t come out in the spring because it conflicts with their season.”

So Jones went unnoticed until March of this season.

By that time, it was hard to deny Jones’ numbers. He was leading Orange County in strikeouts and was among the leaders in wins and ERA.

Still, only Northridge and UC Irvine personally contacted him.

“I received a whole bunch of letters, but those two were the only ones to come see me,” Jones said.

However, Jones never let the lack of attention affect his pitching. In fact, it gave him even more incentive to do well.

“Monte wanted to get his education paid for through athletics,” Brown said. “He had a lot of pressure to prove himself in a 25-game season. And Monte loves a challenge.”

Any challenge.

“I told Monte a week ago that the only challenge he hadn’t met was that he hadn’t given me a no-hitter,” Brown said.

TOP PERFORMERS

Ron Kortman of Laguna Hills pitched a one-hitter as the Hawks defeated Saddleback, 2-0, Friday in the first round of the Southern Section 3-A baseball playoffs.

Jason Perkins of Corona del Mar had 13 kills and 11 blocks as the Sea Kings defeated Mira Costa, 16-18, 15-12, 15-6, 15-8, Saturday in the Southern Section 4-A volleyball finals. He also had 16 kills in Corona del Mar’s 15-5, 15-7, 16-14 victory over Laguna Beach Thursday in the semifinals.

Jimmy Rodriguez of Santa Ana Valley won the 3,200 meters in 9 minutes 12.28 seconds in the Southern Section 3-A track and field championships Saturday.

Roshawn Sims of Esperanza won the 400 meters in 49.62 in the Southern Section 3-A track and field championships Saturday. His performance helped the Aztecs win the 3-A title.

Julio Vargas of Santa Ana had three hits, including two doubles, and six runs batted in as the Saints defeated Downey, 13-6, Friday in the first round of the Southern Section 4-A baseball playoffs.

Monte Jones

Tustin High School

Position: Pitcher/third base

Height, Weight, Class: 5-10, 180, Senior

Last Week: Jones pitched a no-hitter in Tustin’s 4-0 victory over Calexico in the first round of the Southern Section 3-A playoffs. He struck out 15.

Season: Jones is 10-2 with 125 strikeouts and a 0.96 earned-run average. He also is hitting .414 with seven doubles and 23 RBIs.