Jones College baseball 2026 midseason recap
With the season past the halfway point, the Jones College Baseball team is ranked in the top three in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) rankings. The team has a record of 30-11 and a conference record of 13-5. Proving that the winning culture the team has built with help from Head Coach Wesley Thigpen is still thriving. From consistent hitting to strong pitching, the Bobcats have the same relentlessness that defined their offseason preparations.
“The team has played well up to this point so far,” Thigpen said. “We have had some tough games that have taught us a lot, and the players have really learned and gotten better as a result.”
The Bobcats’ success did not come overnight; it came from hard work that started at the beginning of the offseason. Throughout the offseason, this team practiced to be relentless and focused on getting better day in and day out. The team being able to adapt to different circumstances is a big reason for the team’s success.
“I would have to say this team’s ability to make in-game adjustments offensively, toughness of this team, and just the relentlessness of this team and desire to be the best version of themselves every single day,” Thigpen said.
At the plate, the team has several hitters batting at an all-time high. Six players currently have a batting average above .300. Both team captains, Talan Theriot and Chase Russell, are included in that six and are setting the tone for the team. The two have a combined batting average of .369and a combined on-base percentage of 1.109. Another one of the six that leads the team in batting percentage is a freshman from Madison, Miss, named Sanders Ainsworth, who has stepped up this season. Throughout the season so far, he has a batting average of .380 and an on-base percentage of 1.157. Despite some players taking bigger roles, it has been a team effort at the plate all season.
“They bring a mature approach to the plate every time they step in the box,” Thigpen said. “Chase and Talan are sophomores who have had a lot of at-bats in this league and are competitors. It has been fun to watch Sanders grow from recruiting him to where he is now. He is a very smart kid who does a great job making adjustments and is a hard worker who just gets it done.”
On the mound, the Bobcats have had two standout pitchers in Trevor Hodges and Colton Smith. Out of the 15 games, Hodges has pitched in for the Bobcats; he has won 14 of them, as well as having a 1.19 ERA (earned-run average). Smith has started nine games this season, going 8-1 and having a 3.43 ERA. These guys set the tone for the team on the pitching side, challenging every batter they face.
“These two guys have anchored our pitching staff in the first half of the season and have done a great job competing in the strike zone,” Thigpen said. “They bring a challenge to the hitters with their unique arm slots and ability to throw multiple pitches for strikes in any count. We really need these guys to finish strong for us as well.”
With conference play just getting started, this is where the real test begins. This part of the season is important because the team’s record against opponents within their conference will determine if they get into the postseason and who they will face. A big key in keeping the team consistent is to stay strong not only physically, but mentally. If the players want to continue to stay hot, they have to keep the intensity and the mindset of not giving up. Going day by day and focusing on one game at a time will help keep the team’s winning culture alive.
“This conference is always a challenge from top to bottom, and you are going to get everyone’s best shot every time you go out there,” Thigpen said. “Just making sure the guys stay healthy and know the mental grind of MACCC (Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference) doubleheaders is the most important part.”
While having key performers is crucial, it is also essential to have good depth. A season can be unpredictable with injuries or with players being in a slump, so having players who can play multiple positions is very much needed. Along with the team’s mindset of relentlessness, they also believe in the “next man up” mentality. With team injuries this season, some players are being thrown into positions that they have not played before. Ainsworth is one of those players who has managed to get playtime and produce at a high level. Each player’s “never give up” attitude keeps them focused on the same goal of winning.
“Statistics don’t always tell the whole story, but they do say a lot,” Thigpen said. “We have had several guys have to play positions they have never played due to injuries this year, like Sanders Ainsworth, who has just found a way to get it done with whatever is asked of them. I feel like we have a pretty deep lineup, and it seems like a new guy finds a way to make an impact each game.”
Having depth everywhere on the field is important. Going into an important part of the season, the bullpen is an area where the team needs to improve. Having the ability to bring in a relief pitcher in later innings is essential for the team to continue its success.
“I feel like we really need to create more depth in the bullpen. With some key injuries happening early in the year, we have to find a way to get guys in certain roles to be successful for this team,” Thigpen said.
As the Jones baseball team goes deeper into conference play and prepares for the postseason, it is clear that the team is not slowing down. With returners from last year setting the tone and first-year players stepping up, this team shows up in every way. Despite having injuries and players not playing their usual positions, the Bobcats prove that they are relentless by still keeping their winning culture alive. The mindset of “next man up” and “never give up” is what gives this team the edge they need to go into the postseason. No matter what has happened this season and what else is still to come for the Jones Baseball team, the mindset still stays the same: Win.
by Jackson Vella
