Former West Liberty University standout Justin Edwards returns for his second season as pitching coach with the Hilltoppers.
A multi-sport standout who led Wheeling Central Catholic High School to multiple state championships in baseball and football, Edwards originally came to the West Liberty baseball program as a transfer after signing with West Virginia University out of high school.
Edwards emerged as one of the West Virginia Conference’s premier performers during his Hilltopper career. A two-time All-WVIAC selection as a slugging third baseman, Edwards hit .407 and .394 during his last two seasons with West Liberty. His 184 career hits are a school record.
During his senior season, Edwards also filled a key role on the WLU pitching staff, leading the team in wins, innings pitched, complete games and strikeouts.
After graduating from West Liberty, Edwards embarked on a professional baseball career. He made his debut in 2007 with the Utica (N.Y.) Brewmasters in the New York League before moving on to play with the Worcester (Mass.) Tornadoes in the Can-Am League.
Edwards moved closer to home in 2009 when he signed with the Washington (Pa.) Wild Things of the Frontier League and spent three years with the Wild Things. He had his best season in 2011 when he posted a 5-3 record on the mound and finished second in the Frontier League with a sparkling 2.16 ERA.
That performance earned him an invitation to the Independent Leagues All-Star Game in St. Petersburg, Fla. and a late-season promotion to the York (Pa.) Revolution for their Atlantic League playoff run.
Edwards announced his retirement after pitching for the Lincoln (Neb.) Saltdogs in 2012. He finished his professional career with a 20-19 record and a 4.14 ERA with 336 strikeouts and 139 walks.
The minor league veteran gained coaching experience during the off-season by working with the pitchers at Wheeling Jesuit University as a graduate assistant.
Edwards earned a degree in Physical Education/Health from West Liberty and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Wheeling Jesuit. He is a resident of Elm Grove, W.Va.
