Two Petal baseball players will be heading to the next level as Blake King and Jayden Mark signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
“From Day 1, they have done what we have asked them to do,” said Petal coach Jake Mills, who was hired this past spring. “They have adapted to what we are bringing with the way that we work. They are probably two of the hardest-working guys that we have in the weight room. Jayden has been that since Day 1. Blake battled some injuries but has bounced back. Seeing them signing early is a product of them getting in the weight room and working hard. Not only are they good ballplayers, but they are good people.”
Despite signing a week apart, Blake King and Jayden Mark had always wanted to play college baseball together.
King will pitch and play the field at MGCCC. Last season, he batted .312 and drove in 22 RBIs while on the mound. He struck out 17 batters in 15 innings pitched.
“MGCCC was one of my top schools,” King said. “I fell in love with the place. The environment you get when you walk on campus was just perfect. The facilities, the field, everything about the program is all I’ve wanted, and it’s close to home. It is very special to be signing with one of my teammates. We have dreamed of this since we’ve been little playing together, and now we are both playing at the next level.”
Jayden Mark, who will play catcher at MGCCC, batted .167 last season.
“MGCCC made me feel at home,” Mark said. “It was the place I felt that I needed to go to grow into a better player and student. The coaching staff was amazing with high energy also while being honest.
“It’s very special to be signing with Blake. I’ve known him for basically my entire life. From playing against each to being on the same teams since eight years old makes it special to continuing playing ball with him at the next level.”
