GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Former Furman pitcher Jay Jackson has earned his first promotion just over two weeks into his professional baseball career, it was announced recently.

Jackson, a ninth round draft selection of the Chicago Cubs last month, has moved from the Boise Hawks, the Cubs’ rookie league squad in the Northwest League, to the Single A Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League.

After yielding three runs in two innings of work in relief his first professional appearance at Boise on June 17, the former Paladin right-hander worked seven innings and allowed four hits, two runs, and walk while recording 13 strikeouts in his next two outings, including one start.  He had no record and a 5.00 ERA at Boise. Opponents hit just .212 against him.

A first team All-Southern Conference selection for Furman in 2008, he posted a 9-2 record with a 3.17 earned run average in helping lead the Paladins to a 33-24 overall record and 17-10 third place league finish.

The Taylors, S.C, product also earned 40 starts in the field, primarily in the outfield, and batted .336 with eight home runs and team leading 41 RBI this past spring.

With Jackson’s promotion, Furman now has two former standouts playing in the Midwest League.  Jackson’s former teammate, right-handed starting pitcher Matt Klinker ?06, is with the Dayton Dragons in the Cincinnati Reds organization.