Ben Bledsoe signs with St. Charles Community College

Ben Bledsoe signs with St. Charles Community College at Hillhouse Park on Tuesday, June 28.

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CHARLESTON, Mo. — Ben Bledsoe signed a national letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at St. Charles Community College during a ceremony at Hillhouse Park in Charleston, Mo. on Tuesday, June 28.

Bledsoe was an All-Scott-Mississippi Conference and All-Class 3 District 1 selection this past season for the Bluejays while batting .300 with 12 RBIs and 20 runs scored. On the mound, Bledsoe had a 3-3 overall record with 45 innings pitched, 84 strikeouts and a 3.11 ERA.

“I liked what [St. Charles head] coach [Jeff Bolen] told me about the pitching workouts and I appreciate the way he runs the program,” Bledsoe said. “It’s definitely headed in the right direction and I can’t wait to be a part of that. I also really liked the area and what all the school offers outside of baseball.”

Ben Bledsoe throws a pitch during Charleston's 8-6 win over Malden in the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 Tournament at Malden High School on Monday, May 16. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

St. Charles Community College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and is located in Cottleville, Mo.

“I’m just looking forward to the experience of it all and improving my game,” Bledsoe said. “I got a lot of buddies that play and are involved in college ball and I feel like I got a long way to go.”

Bledsoe was also a valuable contributor to the Bluejays' MSHSAA Class 3 State Championship winning basketball team.

Ben Bledsoe throws a runner out at first base during Charleston's eight-inning 9-8 win over Caruthersville in a quarterfinal of the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 Tournament at Malden High School on Saturday, May 14. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

He plans to major in business administration. He said he wouldn’t have developed into the player he is without the guidance of coach Michael Minner.

“He really helped me to understand how to block out all the bad stuff while on the field and just play through,” Bledsoe said. “You can’t let every little thing affect you. He also helped me to understand the importance of body language. I’ve struggled with that stuff in the past.”

Minner coached Bledsoe at Charleston and on the McDonald’s Fighting Squirrels.

“[Bledsoe] has really matured over the last four years,” Minner said. “He’s growing into his body and he has a big upside. I think his best days are ahead of him. He’s a kid who has the chance to be an 88 [mile per hour]-plus guy pretty quick if he’ll work his tail off. He likes the weight room and that’s a plus. I’m really excited about his opportunity.

“I’m most proud that he has chosen to go somewhere where he doesn’t know anyone. He’s taking a chance on himself and that’s awesome to see. I can’t wait to see where he is in two years. He has a chance to be really good.”

The St. Charles Cougars finished the past season with a 30-19 overall record and a 10-12 conference mark.