Photo: Northpoint Christian School shortstop Isaiah Nolan inks his letter of intent to play baseball season next season at James Madison University. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Northpoint Christian School baseball shortstop Isaiah Nolan Thursday signed to play college baseball next season at James Madison University. For right now as the ink on his letter of intent dries, Nolan and the Trojans are at work trying to get back to the TSSAA Division II-A state tournament.
Nolan committed to play for the Dukes of the Sun Belt Conference, which last season finished fourth in the conference, fashioned an overall record of 36-25 and made an appearance in the NCAA Division I Raleigh Regional. Head coach Marlin Ikenberry will start his 10th season at the Harrisonburg, Virginia school.
Northpoint coach Stephen Kirkpatrick calls Nolan one of the hardest workers he’s ever seen.
“He is always staying after practice to hit and he’s always coming up here on the weekends,” Kirkpatrick said. “I pretty much know if he’s not at home, he’s up here working. Isaiah has worked really, really hard to get where he is.”
Kirkpatrick said Nolan has done a good job handling the shortstop position, adding he might be projected more as a third baseman or outfielder in college.
The Northpoint coach said Nolan’s hard work and summer baseball helped get the attention of the James Madison coaching staff.
“Isaiah went and played with a really good select team called the Tidewater Phillies out of Virginia, and they saw him when he was up there this summer,” Kirkpatrick said. “ Isaiah also did a really good job of sending videos.”
