The Jackson State University baseball team has found its secret weapon.
Joseph Eichelberger, a 5-foot-9 junior from Lithonia, Georgia, has wasted no time in making his presence felt on the diamond for the Tigers, quickly elevating himself as one of the premier baseball players in the nation.
Jackson State baseball’s Joseph Eichelberger is still the nation’s best hitter following the latest round of weekend series! #TheeiLove 🔵🐅
He currently boasts a batting average of .639, the best in NCAA DI baseball. He also has the best OBP and hits-per-game percentage.
— Garrett Busby (@gsbusby) March 4, 2024
So, who exactly is Joseph Eichelberger?
Coming from a family where church is important, Eichelberger has been playing baseball since he was a kid in Georgia. It was in that setting that he was known as a high-energy child during church services, and it was suggested that he put that energy to work by getting involved in sports. His sport of choice was baseball.
“It was like it was just natural for me to play,” recalled Eichelberger. “I started at six, and I have been playing ever since.”
Eichelberger had college offers from Tennessee, Virginia Tech, LSU, and Georgia Tech, to name a few, during his sophomore year of high school before suffering a torn UCL injury in his junior year. After the injury and rehab, Eichelberger found himself with only one offer – that offer coming from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff during his senior year. He accepted that offer with the Golden Lions and would go on to compete as a two-way player. After a year in Pine Bluff, however, he left and landed at Paul D. Camp Community College.
Went 2 for 3 against Mississippi State and hit my first bomb of the year. I’m also currently leading the nation in batting average 🔥📈 pic.twitter.com/L4cN11hlB7
— Joseph Eichelberger (@JosephE2Sport) February 29, 2024
Before playing at Paul D. Camp, Eichelberger had to set out a year after tearing his ACL again while pitching. That’s when he decided to concentrate just on hitting.
After his time at Paul D. Camp, Eichelberger found his way to Jackson State, which he says was a great decision.
“Ending up at Jackson State was a great decision,” says Eichelberger, “and I feel like this is the place for me. I made a great decision.”
Courtesy: Jackson State Athletics
