Photo by Kim North Linsly’s Jaxon Murray, center middle, will continue his academic and athletic careers at Ohio State University as a member of the baseball program. He is flanked by his father, Jimmy, left, and mother, Kelly. In back, from left, are Linsly Athletic Director B.J. Depew and Linsly head baseball coach Jay Cartwright.

WHEELING – From Beallsville to Linsly to Ohio State. That’s the path Jaxon Murray has taken to fulfill a lifetime dream.

The Cadets’ senior signed his NCAA Division I National Letter of Intent to play baseball for the Buckeyes Friday surrounded by family, friends, classmates and teammates in the main lobby of Banes Hall.

“This is an unbelievable opportunity. I want to thank all of my coaches, my family, my friends, just everybody that helped make this possible,” Murray said. “It’s unbelievable. It’s surreal. It’s an amazing feeling that I really don’t know how to explain. It (the recruiting) process really taught me how to be patient, but it just goes to show that if you keep working hard enough, somebody will find you.”

As of two weeks ago, Murray was leaning towards following in the footsteps of his older brothers – Jacob “Butter” and Caleb – who both attended Wheeling University. Jacob played baseball while Caleb finished up his basketball career this past winter.

“They emailed me and wanted to watch me play in our game against Wheeling Central,” Murray described how the Buckeyes came into the picture. “I played pretty well in that game and they offered me later that week.”

Murray said the Buckeyes are looking at him to be a middle infielder. He has played shortstop for Linsly and Wheeling Post 1.

“I’ll have to work on my speed, my strength, my mental strength and the basic fundamentals -hitting the ball and catching the ball,” he noted.

Murray said he will leave June 22 to workout with the team until July 31. Then, he’ll return to the Ohio Valley before school starts.

Although he grew up in Monroe County, he wasn’t an Ohio State fan growing up.

“Notre Dame,” he confessed.

So, why Ohio State?

“The coaches were really nice and welcoming to me. Ohio State has great facilities, an amazing campus, but mainly the coaches,” he said of his decision.

“Today meant a lot to me because all of my brothers took off of work to be here. I’m glad they were able to come and support me, because they have supported me all of my career.

“My brothers helped me with everything. I used to watch them play and want to be like them. They’ve helped me with hitting and fielding a whole lot.”

Veteran Linsly head coach Jay Cartwright said Wheeling and Shepherd were the two in the mix until late in the recruiting process.

“It was pretty late … in the last 3 to 4 weeks,” Cartwright said. “They showed some interest and had a personal workout with him. Then they came to watch him play, and the rest is history, as they say.”

Cartwright thinks it’s a great fit for Murray.

“I’m sure Jaxon will thrive out there,” Cartwright said. “He has all the tools. He just needs to polish them up.”

Murray is the son of Jimmy and Kelly Murray.

Murray is the second Linsly baseball player to commit to a NCAA Division I program. Two years ago, it was Alex Taylor with Ohio University.