Ayden-Grifton’s Blake McLawhorn, left, and Austin Jones committed to Louisburg to play baseball Monday after strong senior seasons. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

AYDEN — A pair of Ayden-Grifton baseball pillars are heading to Louisburg.

Austin Jones and Blake McLawhorn committed to play for the Hurricanes Monday after stellar careers with the Chargers. Jones, a four-year varsity player, and McLawhorn, who spent three with Ayden-Grifton, helped sustain a streak of nine consecutive years above .500, including a trip to the third round of the NCHSAA 2A state playoffs in 2017 and a 17-9 record this year, the team’s best since 2015.

Both plan to major in business at Louisburg.

“They were good ambassadors to our program and had a ‘come to work, clock in, clock out’ mentality about them,” Chargers coach Corey Skinner said. “They represented the school the best way they could on and off the field, and as seniors they had their best years emotionally and statistically. In a sense, they were able to finish their careers on top.”

McLawhorn, who plans to play third base with the Hurricanes, batted .449 this season with six doubles, two home runs, 19 RBIs and nine stolen bases for the Chargers. Jones, who looks to pitch, went 5-4 with a 2.61 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 45.2 innings of work, also batting .365 with 14 RBIs.

Jones said Ayden-Grifton’s 11-1 first round playoff win against North Lenoir played a role in the duo getting a look from Louisburg. Jones threw a complete game and striking out seven, while also going 2-3 with a home run and 3 RBIs. McLawhorn also went deep in the contest, going 2-3 with 2 RBIs as well.

“That was the first time someone from Louisburg came to see us play, so the win felt even better,” Jones said. “It’s also great to play with Blake — he’s one of my best friends growing up and we’ve got this opportunity.”

McLawhorn said the duo hopes to continue applying what they learned at Ayden-Grifton to the next level.

“I learned to never give up and do everything you can to succeed,” McLawhorn said. “We just have to keep doing it at Louisburg.”