East Lincoln baseball player signs

East Lincoln senior Jake Helms signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at Concord University next fall on an athletic scholarship. Helms was recruited as a shortstop and will join former East Lincoln teammates Clayton Dellinger and Randy Beard on the Mountain Lions’ roster.

As a junior for East Lincoln, Helms batted .300 with 27 RBIs, 19 runs and 14 stolen bases.

“Concord is not only getting a very talented ballplayer but a great kid,” East Lincoln coach Chris Matile said. “I am very proud of Jake and look forward to working with him his senior year and watching him help lead our team to what we hope is another successful season.”

Concord plays in the Division II West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and is coached by Andrew Wright. Helms also received interest from Gardner-Webb, Appalachian State and Brevard.

“I really enjoyed the campus, and felt comfortable with the coaching staff and where they were taking the baseball program,” Helms said. “I would like to thank my parents and Coach Matile for believing in me and continually pushing me academically as well as athletically.”