JAMESTOWN, NY - Jamestown Community College's (JCC) Mitchell McKinney (Beamsville, Ontario, Canada / Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary) is advancing his athletic and academic career at the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), a Division 2 school in Odessa, Texas.
Mitch had a stellar career at the plate for the Jayhawks, with the highest career batting average in the green and gold* at .389 and a leading career on-base percentage of .500.
"The JCC Baseball program significantly improved my game over the two years I spent at the college," said McKinney. "When I first joined the program in 2024, I wasn't even a starter; however, I was able to work my way into the lineup after a tenuous winter season. I excelled in my first year, leading the region in batting average, solidifying my spot for year two," added Mitch.
He gives a lot of the credit for that growth to the leader of the Jayhawks' baseball program.
"My head coach, Jerico Weitzel, was a heavy reason for my success, working daily with me, whether it be in the cages or on the field. My assistant coach Gannon Jackson and strength/trainer Joshua Tonks also played a major role in my success, helping in their respective roles," mentioned the Canadian.
Baseball might have been the catalyst for McKinney coming to Jamestown, but he understands academics will be the key to a sustainable future.
"JCC prepared me for this next opportunity in many different ways academically. The smaller class sizes and the ability to have a closer relationship with my professors helped me excel in my classwork. I was able to get answers to my questions more easily, and one-to-one help when I needed it," mentioned Mitch.
McKinney was a mainstay in the JCC batting cages and around the gym, leading to many fond moments.
"I have many favorite memories from my two years as a Jayhawk, with a lot of them coming from moments spent with my teammates. I can't pick one moment, but I can select the overall experience of our van rides to and from games. There's nothing that can beat those drives and all the memories I collected on the way, said Mitchell. "I was able to bond heavily with the group of guys I call my teammates, and that's easily the best experience for me. Honorable mention: working the Bills game against the Dolphins this past season. I was placed next to the field on the fifty-yard line throughout the second half of the game, and I got to witness the Tyler Bass game winner with the entire crowd behind, with decibel readings like 110 or something," he added.
With all of those positive memories, including having his name in several spots in the JCC record books, it's the entire environment he says he'll have the toughest time putting behind him: "I'll miss a fair amount at JCC, but mostly our field and our training facility."
The UTPB Falcons open their 2026 campaign at home Frdiay, January 30th vs. the No.7 ranked Angelo State University Rams.
*JCC record books date back to 2012.
