Jonah Hurney’s long road to Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) — It’s been fairly the journey for Virginia Tech junior pitcher Jonah Hurney – a journey that started 20 hours away in Hawaii. “From a younger age my dad all the time had me taking part in sports activities, so I performed basketball and baseball. I simply gravitated in direction of baseball simply because I used to be left-handed, and I may see myself being a pitcher. So give credit score to my dad and my grandpa too my grandpa is left-handed,” stated Hurney.

The southpaw graduated from Hawaii Prepratory Academy – he then took his skills to Southwestern Oregon Neighborhood School. “I used to be not anticipating actually something going to JUCO. I do know out of highschool that I may play on the following stage, however no one actually got here calling or speaking to me. So I used to be like I’ll take a shot and going to Southwestern Oregon that was in all probability probably the greatest selections I made simply because it allowed me to develop and perceive how I wanted to progress as a baseball participant,” stated Hurney.

That’s when he was thrown a curveball – that got here within the type of a telephone name. “It was loopy I do not forget that telephone name very vividly Coach Fecteau stated hey I’m at Virginia Tech I simply wish to know for those who’d even have the considered taking part in out right here on the East Coast figuring out that I used to be from Hawaii. As quickly as I heard that he was from Virginia Tech it was a no brainer I might take that danger and that likelihood to return out right here,” stated Hurney.

For Virginia Tech head coach John Szefc – Hurney continues to make vital progress on the mound. “Coming into this 12 months we had excessive expectations for him and he’s met them and exceeding them…I give him a whole lot of credit score he’s a great distance from house, however I do suppose that taking part in within the ACC and coming to Virginia Tech has been helpful for him too baseball clever and academically too,” stated Szefc.

Hurney is now – making ready for the nationwide event – and as he appears again at his journey – he credit his household again in Hawaii for all of his success on the mound. “My dad and my grandpa they’ve formed me into who I’m right this moment sports-wise and simply as a person generally so that they’ve positively performed a giant half,” stated Hurney.