Rocky Mount, N.C. - The North Carolina Wesleyan baseball program has announced that NCWC alum Zach Alexander has been promoted to a full-time assistant coach with the Battling Bishops. Alexander's promotion follows the resignation of longtime assistant coach Ernie Jones, who dedicated over 22 years of service to the college.

Alexander recently completed his third season as an assistant coach with his alma mater. A standout player for head coach Charlie Long from 2008 to 2011, he was a two-time USA South All-Conference performer at first base and led Wesleyan to a pair of conference championships during his tenure.

Individually, Alexander posted his best collegiate numbers during a 2010 junior season that saw the Virginia Beach native bat .468 in conference play with a trio of homeruns, 12 doubles and 34 RBIs. Wesleyan capture its second straight regular season league title that year, and for his efforts, Alexander was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

After serving as a volunteer assistant coach for two seasons, Alexander split time between baseball and the campus' Intramural program during Wesleyan's 2014-2015 campaign. His promotion will now allow him to serve the Department of Athletics in a full-time capacity, which includes assuming Jones' role as Director of Outdoor Facilities. 

A staple of Battling Bishop baseball, Jones sees his Wesleyan tenure come to an end after opting to pursue another professional opportunity in the area. The Nash County native transferred to Wesleyan in the fall of 1991, playing for head coach Mike Fox during the 1992 and 1993 seasons. A first team All-Conference performer at shortstop, his two-year Bishop career saw Jones record a .961 fielding percentage in 337 total chances. For his efforts, he has been given distinction as one of the best defensive shortstops the program has ever had.

During his Wesleyan tenure, Jones played in two South Regional championships and one College World Series as the Bishops placed seventh in the Series during his senior season. He graduated from Wesleyan with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education in 1993 and later rejoined the program as a volunteer assistant coach.

Jones made his full-time return to the Bishop baseball program during the 1999 season. In his first season, he helped Wesleyan capture the Conference Title, the South Regional Crown, and the NCAA Division III National Championship. Jones later helped lead the Bishops to their 12th World Series appearance in 2006. Most recently, the 2009 and 2010 seasons saw the Bishops earn their 16th and 17th USA South Regular Season crowns, NCWC's 6th Conference Tournament Title, and the program's 21st appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Jones is honored to have been a part of the Bishop program during his playing days and to have had the opportunity to play for and coach alongside an outstanding staff. On behalf of the Department of Athletics, we wish Coach Jones the best of luck in his new endeavor!