Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame Inducts Jonathan Kountis

Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame held the 2024 induction ceremony and honored Jonathan Kountis.  Kountis became the 7th Portage South Black Squirrel to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

Jonathan played for Firestone High as a pitcher. He was 3 time All City Team 2004-2006 as well as Beacon Journal Player of the Year in 2006. He holds the career wins and strikeout records for the Falcons.

Kountis then pitched 3 years at Ohio Dominican College and was an NAIA All American in 2007 & 2008. He was drafted by the Indians but decided to play his last year at Emery Riddle Univ. After his senior year, Jon was drafted by the Mets in the 19th round and played 2 years in the organization.

Jonathan played for the Lake Erie Crushers in 2012 before signing with the Blue Jays. He went back to the Frontier League and holds the record for most single saves in a season. Kountis was named to the Frontier League Hall of Fame in 2021.

Jonathan has pitched for the Greece National Olympic team since 2016 to present.

Kountis joined the Portage South Black Squirrels in 2020 and led PS to their second AA title, while earning Dave Layton Tournament MVP.  In 2021, Kountis won the Frank Garcia MVP and Dave Layton Pitcher of the Year league awards.  After missing the 2022 season rehabbing his arm, Jonathan came back in 2023 and won the Dave Layton Tournament MVP again.

Six Black Squirrels Earning League Honors

The Greater Akron AA League Awards were announced with 6 Portage South Black Squirrels earning league all star honors.  The 5 individual league awards were also announced and Chad Harper was a finalist for the Don Lombardi Rookie of the Year and George Sisler Hitter of the Year.  Kevin Haley won the Dave Layton Tournament MVP award for the American Division of the Greater Akron AA League.  Jonathan Kountis was also a finalist for Dave Young Pitcher of the Year.  In addition to the above mentioned Black Squirrels, Drew Bradley, Jesse Michel and Eric Schaffer were named to the Greater Akron AA All Star team.