Sophomore Matt Doughty is developing into a baseball prospect to watch at the North Cross School in Roanoke. A two sports standout, Doughty was a second team all-state selection in basketball this past season, and is in the midst of very good baseball season.

Doughty told VirginiaPreps.com "I enjoy baseball the most but I am dedicated to basketball as well, and plan to play both all throughout high school."

Baseball appears to be Doughty's best sport, and he said "I am most

interested in playing baseball in college because of the interest coaches have

given in me at every level. Baseball coaches have motivated me at every level

and have inspired me to get better."

Eric Lawrence, the Head Baseball Coach and Director of Athletics at

the North Cross School told VirginiaPreps.com "Matt is a very talented for his class with plus power (hitting) for a sophomore." Lawrence added "He also has good baseball instincts with athletic ability that helps him overcome the few flaws he brought with him to my program."

Going into Friday's game against Carlisle, Doughty was batting .524 with two

home runs and nine doubles. Lawrence said "Matt has been working to improve and has a great attitude while being very coachable."

Doughty has also pitched for the Raiders this spring, and so far this season

sports a 3-0 won/loss record having struck 18 batters in 15.2 innings pitched

while accumulating a 2.68 earned run average.

"His arm strength is average to above average, with the ability to throw well from all angles (i.e. middle infield, double play balls, hard across the

diamond, and pitching)...meaning he uses the correct slot for the situation at

hand. I am confident that he will improve his arm strength to a plus rating before next season," Lawrence said.

As a sophomore Doughty has not had not contact with any colleges just yet, but those he has interest in at this point are Richmond, James Madison, Virginia

Commonwealth, William & Mary and several other in-state schools.

We asked Doughty about his biggest athletic accomplishment to date and he

responded "Hitting all the homeruns I have at every level that I have played. My

favorite one so far is my first as a Raider which came against an East Carolina

commit, Hayden White to give my team a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning."

When asked about his strengths as a baseball player, Doughty stated "I

consider my best strengths in baseball my versatility, competitiveness, and athletic ability. I can/have played every infield position in the past year along with a history at catcher all throughout middle school. I can also contribute on the mound with four pitches and fastball touching 80."

What areas does he think he needs to improve upon? Doughty said "I am

working to improve upon my strength and speed. I understand at the next level

and infielder must run a seven or below 60 yard dash and be able to throw 80

plus across the diamond. I am working out every day to improve my numbers in

those aspects and hope to be right at those by the summer."

Doughty's summer plans include a lot of baseball, as he told us "I will be

playing for my club team, the Roanoke Badgers, and compete against the Braves and Canes teams that include prospects with next level talent. I will also play legion ball and I will round out my summer by attending camps at several colleges."

As for the final two years of high school, Doughty has set some pretty lofty

goals. "My goal for the next two years are just to put North Cross baseball at a

higher level. We can compete with the Liberty Christian Academy's of the state

and our recognition as a top team is not where it could be. I would love to win

state championships and that is a fair goal each year, but putting us at a higher level is reachable and can help future Raider players even after I am gone."