Mineral Area College

Blake Jones

Title:

Head Baseball Coach
Phone:

573-518-2244
Email:

bajones@mineralarea.edu
Previous College:

Lincoln University

Bio

Former Mineral Area College pitcher Blake Jones is currently in his 12th season as Head Baseball Coach at Mineral Area College. In his first season as head coach, Blake led the Cardinals to the Region XVI championship game. In season two, MAC finished 25-25 overall record with a 16-12 record in the Region 16 and 9-7 record in the MCCAC. Two seasons ago MAC was 31-22 and 13-3 in the MCCAC. His fourth season was the best season yet for the Cardinals; they went 36-20 overall against a difficult schedule and finished 3rd in the Region 16 Tournament. In season five, MAC went 27-23. In 2019, the Cardinals were 32-17 overall and finished 3rd in the Region 16 Tournament. Following the COVID year in 2020, the Cardinals won back-to-back conference championships. (2021 & 2022)

In eleven seasons, Blake has compiled a 307-221 record as the Cardinals skipper. Coach Jones replaced Head Coach Stan Walden. Coach Jones served as Coach Walden’s assistant for two seasons and worked as Jim Gerwitz’s assistant coach for two seasons prior to that. Blake played summer baseball for Coach Walden and Hal Loughary for the Farmington Firebirds for three seasons.

Jones played his high school career at nearby Valley of Caledonia, where he was a three-time All-State athlete in baseball. Jones then went on to pitch at Mineral Area College from 2004-2006. He participated in the Region 16 All-Star game his sophomore season at MAC. Blake then went on to finish up his baseball career at Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

Blake started his coaching career at Lincoln University in Jefferson City where he helped the pitching staff lower its earned run average by over a run per game. Andy Moss, a former Mineral Area College baseball player was a member of Blake's staff and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals.

In the last 6 years, MAC has had 18 players move on to Division I schools. 74 of their players have moved on to 4-year schools.

2014 Record: 31-26
2015 Record: 25-25
2016 Record: 31-22
2017 Record: 36-20
2018 Record: 27-23
2019 Record: 32-17
2020 Record: 5-9
2021 Record: 30-13*
2022 Record: 31-18*
2023 Record: 35-22
2024 Record: 24-26

Moved 18 Players up to Division 1 Programs Over the Last 6 Years
Moved 74 Players up to 4-Year Colleges Over the last 6 Years
2018 - 2019 28 Players with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or Higher
2016 - 2019 Qualified for Regional Post-Season Tournament during the Last 4 Years
2013 - 2014 Region 16 Runner-Up
2021 - 2022 MCCAC Conference Champions
2022 - 2023 MCCAC Conference Champions

Get to know Head Coach Blake Jones...

Why did you get into coaching?

"I love the game. I couldnt imagine my life without baseball. It has given me so much in life and I hope that when guys leave our program they are appreciative of what the game has given them too."

Why do you like coaching specifically at Mineral Area College?

"The people. Our administration is very supportive. I have the best assistant coaches I could ask for. I am lucky to get to be around these guys everyday."

How would you describe your specific role within the coaching staff?

"Oversee all operations of the program."

What specific coaches have had the biggest influence on your coaching style/philosophy?

"Coach Gerwitz was a guy that I played for and he was the guy to give me my first job. He gave me the opportunity to do what I am doing today and I will forever be grateful for that."

All of the MAC sports teams have either had consistent winning records or won conference and region championships the last 10 years. Why do you think that is?

"I think it starts at the top with our administration giving us the resources needed to compete. I believe we have the best facilities in our region and we are going to continue to keep building on that. You have to have support and resources to have a successful program."

Blake can be reached at 573-518-2283

or @ bajones@mineralarea.edu

Follow Blake @bajones37 on Twitter.