Prior to Belmont: Played at Buford High School under Head Coach Tony Wolfe … Led team to Georgia State Championship … Earned both the Team Captain Award and the Coach’s Award at Buford … Recorded a batting average of .436 with 12 doubles while only striking out four times last season.

Personal: Born James Christopher Ritchie on April 9, 1993 in South Hadley, Mass. … Son of Phil and Beth Ritchie … Won a citizenship award … Has one brother.