An Eye for an Eye
Siblings supporting each other as they play ball for Madison
By Whitney Proffitt, contributing writer
Posted on April 27, 2006

In spring of 2002, Josh Eye and his Turner-Ashby High School baseball team won the state championship. The following fall he came to play for JMU. Two years later, Josh’s younger sister, Whitney, did the exact same thing.

“It’s unusual,” JMU softball coach Katie Flynn said. “It’s a plus for Whitney that her brother was already here and had a good experience. They’re locals, so they’re familiar with JMU. I think one of the most interesting things is that they’re both from Bridgewater and had success playing for Turner-Ashby High School, and now they’re bringing that here.”

Senior outfielder and first baseman Josh and freshman shortstop Whitney have become the only brother-sister sports duo for the Dukes.

“I think Josh always gives 110 percent when he plays,” Whitney said. “I think he plays selflessly and always wants to see his teammates do well.”

Diamond Dukes coach Spanky McFarland said, “Josh is the ultimate team guy. He doesn’t play that often, but he never complains. He plays hard in practice, keeps working hard, and he’s very supportive of his teammates, which I think says a lot about his character. I think he’s a real class act.”

The same goes for his sister.

“Whitney hasn’t seen much playing time,” Flynn said. “But as a freshman and a walk-on, she’s still learning and developing. I think her effort that she puts in every day is what she brings to the team. She has tremendous work ethic and desire.”

Whitney has helped the team since the early stages of the season. She racked up two RBIs in the third game of the season in her first trip up to bat.

“She’s really competitive,” Josh said. “I’d have to say she’s better than I am.

“It’s pretty special because it doesn’t happen that often that a brother and sister get to play Division-I ball at the same place,” Josh said.

Both deny that Josh influenced Whitney’s decision to come to JMU.

“I decided to play for JMU because it’s a good Division-I program, and it’s close to home,” Whitney said.  “Josh didn’t influence my decision. If he did at all, it was because he said he’d made such good friends on the team.”

They also refrain from giving each other advice.

“He’s been playing long enough that he knows when he’s doing something wrong,” Whitney said.

Her brother, the 6’1, 205-pound outfielder said, “She’s never needed advice from me. If she does need advice, my dad’s there for that.”

Playing sports during the same season has been hard because they rarely get to attend each other’s games. While Whitney is just beginning her career at JMU, as a senior Josh is wrapping his up.

“I don’t think you can judge Josh’s career success on statistics,” McFarland said. “It’s really his underlying tone and what he brings to the team. He’s very valuable to this club.”

Both teams will be at home this weekend. Baseball kicks off a three-game series against Georgia State 3 p.m. Friday at Mauck Stadium, while softball opens a two-game series versus Delaware noon Saturday at the JMU Softball Complex.