Jason Neal is entering his fourth season serving as the recruiting coordinator and an assistant coach on the Youngstown State baseball staff.
Neal oversaw the recruitment of 16 new players that upped the program’s talent level for the 2014 team’s run through the Horizon League Tournament. In addition to overseeing the recruiting efforts at YSU, Neal coaches the Penguins’ catchers and helps with the development of camps and clinics.
Just two years into the rebuilding effort under head coach Steve Gillispie, the Penguins made their first appearance at an NCAA Regional in a decade. Youngstown State swept through the Horizon League Tournament as the No. 6 seed to earn the conference’s automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. Youngstown State beat top-seeded Wright State twice, including in the championship game, as well as the No. 3 Valparaiso and No. 4 Milwaukee to win the tournament crown. Youngstown State led the Horizon League Tournament in batting average (.340), runs per game (7.5), ERA by starting pitchers (1.85) and fielding percentage (.993).
The Penguins went on to earn the program’s first victory in the NCAA Tournament, a 5-2 win over Indiana State in the Bloomington Regional.
In Neal’s first season, the Penguins increased their win total and largely upped their competitiveness with a much tougher schedule compared to the year prior to his arrival. Statistically, the team improved across the board. The offense had a higher batting average and score more than a half run more per game on average. The pitching staff also lowered its ERA by almost a run.
On the individual level, third baseman Drew Dosch was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh round of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He became the highest position player from Youngstown State to be selected since 1991, and he was one of 10 Penguins to be taken in the draft since 1999. Dosch repeated as a First-Team All-Horizon League and Second-Team Academic All-America honoree as the league-leader in on-base percentage and OPS.
Before coming to YSU, Neal spent three seasons as the recruiting coordinator at Morehead State.
Neal began with the Morehead State coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in 2007 and spent a total of six years with the program. He was promoted to full-time assistant and recruiting coordinator after the 2009 season. While with the Eagles, he was responsible for hitting, team offense, outfield defense and overseeing the position players. He also coached third base, oversaw game scheduling and was responsible for the program’s camps.
Neal signed two Louisville Slugger All-Americans, 17 Kentucky East/West All-Stars and 24 all-state players during his tenure at Morehead State. He signees include one pre-season and three post-season NCAA All-Americans, seven players who signed professional contracts and many Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer and All-OVC First and Second Team selections.
In his career, Neal has recruited or coached 12 players who have signed professional contracts.
Prior to Morehead State, he served as a bullpen catcher for the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, from 2004-07. He caught in-game and pre-game bullpens and assisted the field staff.
Neal earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 2003 from Oakland City University in Indiana.
