Yellow Jackets, Wolfpack Recruit Pace Academy Seniors

Pace Academy senior baseball players Jared Datoc and Raphael Ramirez signed National Letters of Intent on Nov. 13, the first day of the NCAA early signing period.

Datoc, a relief pitcher and the Knights’ starting shortstop, will play for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Centerfielder Ramirez will join the North Carolina State Wolfpack. 

Datoc and Ramirez have been power players for the Knights since they were freshmen. For three years, they have combined to lead the team in every offensive category.

During the 2013 season, Datoc played in 22 games with 23 runs scored, 32 hits, 10 walks, a .578 on-base percentage and hit .464.

Ramirez played in 22 games and had 27 runs, 31 hits, 10 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs, 17 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and hit .435. Both were named 2013 First Team All-Region.

Entering their junior season, Datoc and Ramirez were named 2013 Perfect Game Pre-Season High School All-Americans, identifying them as two of the top high school players in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. This past June, the pair traveled to Minneapolis to participate in Perfect Game’s National Showcase, an event assembling the top 300 rising senior prospects for the benefit of college coaches and Major League Baseball scouts. During the event, Datoc’s throws across the infield were clocked at 92 miles per hour, ranking him eighth on the list of the Nation’s Top 10 Infield Arms in the Class of 2014.

Later in the summer, Ramirez headed to Arizona to represent Georgia in the annual Area Code Games, and in October, Datoc and Ramirez traveled to Jupiter, Fla., where a field of the nation’s 85 elite club teams vied for the title of World Wood Bat Association World Champions. Ramirez led the Atlanta Blue Jays to the round of “Sweet Sixteen.” Datoc led the offensive strike for Team Rawlings/East Cobb Astros and garnered a spot on the WWBA World Championship All-Tournament Team Roster. Team Rawlings/East Cobb Astros advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated from the contest. The finish represents the highest of all Georgia teams in the tournament.

“Jared and Raphael have made a tremendous impact on our baseball program during their time at Pace,” said Pace Academy Head Coach Matt Hall. “I look forward to coaching them during their final season as Knights and to following their college careers in the years to come.”

The Knights kick off their 2014 season on Jan. 13.