COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – For almost everyone who filled Davis Diamond on Wednesday, the Texas A&M football celebrity softball game was just that \u2014 fun and games.<\/p>\n
The look in defensive end Marco Jones\u2019s eye proved it was serious.<\/p>\n
For the second consecutive season, Jones reached the finals of the evening\u2019s home run derby, this time by belting more than 50 home runs in three rounds of competition to claim the crown. Jones bested tight end Kiotti Armstrong in the finals to claim the title.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just had fun being out here, you know,\u201d Armstrong said after the game. \u201cHome run derby, wanted to win, but shout out to my boy Marco. I wish he would have played for my team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones\u2019s maroon team also won the softball game, 15-12.<\/p>\n
Two years ago, Jones began his athletic career at A&M as a two-sport athlete with the football and baseball teams. However, right before the Aggie baseball season began, Jones elected to step away from the baseball program to focus on spring football.<\/p>\n
With significant playing time in his future for the Aggie football team, Jones announced during spring practice that he will focus only on football for the remainder of his tenure at A&M.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think my goal has always been to go to the NFL and I think that\u2019s probably more my future than going to the MLB, to be quite honest,\u201d Jones said in the spring.<\/p>\n
Wednesday was a chance to scratch that baseball itch one more time. There were no jokes or laughter coming from the sophomore as he stepped into the batter\u2019s box, uninterested in playful banter with the derby commentators, quarterback Marcel Reed and coach Trooper Taylor.<\/p>\n
It was another A&M softball player who gave Jones his biggest challenge. Former A&M softball standout Tori Vidales blasted 22 home runs in the semifinals, only to be knocked out of the head-to-head competition by Jones\u2019s 23.<\/p>\n
In the finals, 15 home runs from Jones were more than enough to take the contest. However, Armstrong was no pushover; he said he hit 23 home runs while playing baseball in high school.<\/p>\n
Armstrong said he\u2019s already thinking about next year with hopes of knocking Jones from the home run podium.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fixing to get with [strength coach Tommy] Moffitt,\u201d he said with a smile. \u201cGoing to change my training up a little bit and get my conditioning up. Be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
With fall camp beginning next week, summer is drawing to a close for everyone in the Aggie football program. For the second straight season \u2014 and more seasons to come \u2014 head coach Mike Elko said the celebrity softball game will be the official start to the football season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s amazing,\u201d Armstrong said of the game. \u201cA little break to be able to get out here, have a little fun in front of fans. Loosen up after a long offseason. Just come out here, really just have fun with the guys one more time before we get serious right before the season.\u201d<\/p>\n
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