High School Baseball: Cooper Jones' home-run barrage powering North Marion

A home run can bring a crowd to its feet. A team that belts home two homers in the same game is having a good day at the plate. When a player steps into the batter box and sends three consecutive balls yard, he's stepped into Reggie Jackson-territory.

North Marion's Cooper Jones' 11 home runs put him among the nation’s home-run leaders. The senior recently had six in one week. He started his streak with a homer against Lumpkin County, followed it up with two more against Creekside, and went 3-for-3 from the plate against Gainesville, sending each ball out of the yard, in the 7-6 victory on April 7.

“After the first one, I said to myself he could definitely get another one tonight,” North Marion coach Dale Hall said. “He has great confidence when it comes to the plate.”

By all accounts, Cooper Jones is a quiet kid. He’s self-described as shy, and his dad, Eric, will agree. He just so happens to own one of the biggest bats in Marion County. With five chains tucked neatly under his jersey but just exposed enough to show off the jewelry, he may also have some of the best on-field swag.

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Jones always made contact with the ball, but the power rose to another level as he entered high school. By his sophomore year in 2020, he played second base on a state runner-up team with 14 future college baseball players.

He was an instant impact performer. Cooper stepped to the plate in his first varsity game to hit a walk-off grand slam with the game on the line.

“Cooper Jones is a special player,” Hall said.

Cooper’s confidence comes from the support he gets from his family. Jones celebrated his monster achievement with a fist bump and a low five with Hall as he rounded third base. Even after a week of home runs, Cooper was even-keeled at home. His calm demeanor is as consistent as his power.

It helps that his dad keeps him humble by not overpraising his son’s accomplishments. When he’s watching his son from the stands, it’s a different story. Eric is a proud father watching his son succeed in a sport he’s loved since picking up a baseball at 1.

“I was extremely excited for him, but I didn’t say anything,” Eric said. “I told him the same thing. I tell him every game, good luck on the game. We’ll see you tonight. I didn’t want to give him any extra thoughts. Just stay in the zone of whatever you’re doing and keep playing the game.”

Eric couldn’t believe the run his son was on. He was in awe of his son, nearly leaping out of his seat for every home run that soared over the back fence against Gainesville.

Whatever Cooper saw, he was on it. He knew it would be a good day in batting practice. Nothing can bother him when he’s locked in, not even when off-speed pitches are thrown his way.

Cooper Jones will take his talent to the College of Central Florida

It’s part of why he believes he can contribute to the top 5 junior college baseball program at College of Central Florida when he graduates in May. He chose the Patriots over several out-of-town programs.

“He liked the idea of staying close to home,” Eric said. “He likes the idea of junior college and the competitiveness there.”

Cooper will grow as a player with their player development system and a Hall of Fame coaching staff. Before he sets his eyes on the next level, the FHSAA’s 21st ranked team has five regular-season games before entering the postseason. A trip to Fort Myers and the state tournament may be a possibility if the Colts, who have won nine consecutive games, continue their stellar pitching and success at the plate.

“I think the happiest he is is on the field,” Eric said. “It’s where he loves to be. It’s what he loves to do.”

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Cooper Jones has North Marion Colts baseball streaking at right time