BASEBALL: For Jones, past is in rearview mirror

HARRISON TWP. - At this point, there’s no looking back for Kwan Jones.

A senior on the Rancocas Valley High School baseball team, the center fielder jumped out to a strong start only to see his final season go south midway through the year. He struggled at the plate, his confidence dwindled.

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“It’s been a little up and down, do good one day and not so well the next,” he said. “I was ahead of the ball. I was too anxious, swinging at balls in the dirt.”

But over the last handful of games, Jones has turned things around. While his defensive play has been consistently strong, he’s produced offensively like he was expected and the Red Devils have benefited from his resurgence.

Issues of the past are no longer part of the equation.

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“He started out red-hot with the bat and then he really cooled off,” RV coach Dave Hower said. “But lately he’s been coming on strong. He’s starting to square the ball up.

“He just missed a grand slam against Burlington Township where the kid made an ESPN catch, going over the wall and bringing it back. He’s really been on a tear.”

Jones smacked a pair of doubles Monday in a South Jersey Group 4 playoff opener against top-seeded Clearview. His first kicked off a four-run fourth inning, while an RBI double in the fifth was part of a two-run frame.

The game itself was suspended by inclement weather, tied at 6-6 with one out in the top of the sixth. It’s scheduled to resume Tuesday at Clearview.

If the Red Devils (11-7, winners of three straight) are to come away with a win over Clearview and move into the quarterfinals against Toms River North, as well as beat Moorestown and earn at least a share of the Burlington County League Liberty Division in a game later this week, Jones will need to remain focused at the plate.

“It was my mindset, but I’ve changed it up,” he said. “I’m taking a deep breath between at-bats. I had to slow the game down and that’s helped a lot.

“I’m starting to see (the ball) better now. I just clear my head before going to the plate and really not think at all.”

With Monday’s effort, Jones now has six doubles and nine RBIs. He also stole a base, making him a perfect 11-for-11 this spring. He plans to play at Post University, a Division II program in Waterbury, Connecticut.

When he’s swinging the bat well, he gets on base. And from there, his pure speed can help set the tone for big innings.

“Sometimes his head gets too busy, especially with hitting, instead of trusting what he’s been practicing and let it go,” Hower said. “He’s relaxing now.

“We want to see him continue to have quality at-bats. When he’s not going well, he takes a lot of pitches and fastball strikes. If he can continue to get on and make things happen on the bases, who knows what will happen.”

Kevin Minnick; (856) 486-2424; kminnick@gannettnj.com