Jake Meeker: One last ride?
Jake Meeker has been playing baseball at St. John Fisher University for four years now and is looking to keep the Cardinal’s success rolling. They have won three straight conference championships and are looking to add a fourth straight this year.
When talking about the past success of the team, Meeker said, “We have won the past three years, and we are looking forward to get another championship year after year.”
Meeker’s parents AJ and Traci always taught him to always work hard towards his dreams, and baseball was Meeker’s dream. So, when he was eight years old, he started going to Beimel Baseball in St Marys to learn how to play. Meeker spoke glowingly about Beimel Baseball, and the Beimel family, saying, “The Beimel family is some of the best people in this town, and it wasn’t always about just being a better player, but to become a better human, son, boyfriend, husband.”
The St. John Fisher Cardinals had 16 seniors and graduate students last season, and this year being a senior for the Cardinals Meeker has seen his role shift and is able to mentor the younger players on the team.
“While I’m not a captain I feel like I am able to give the younger guys advice, and just let them know that I have been in their position before, and their time is coming,” Meeker said.
When asked about his goals for the season Meeker stated, “For me, I have no personal goals, it is just how I can make my teammates better. Also, as a catcher, I always make sure that I am on the same page as my pitchers and my pitching coach.”
Last year the Cardinals had a very powerful offense as they had a combined average of .346 and hit for 20 home runs as a team.
“Our offense is extremely good, and you know we have AllAmericans and Regional guys who really get our offense going,” said Meeker.
After this season Meeker still has another year of eligibility due to COVID-19. Whether he will use it is still up in the air.
“It’s definitely going to be a decision at the end of the season. Maybe I will play one more at Fisher or one more somewhere else, but it is all up in the air,” Meeker said.
When discussing his post-playing career, Meeker is set to join Michael Beimel in starting Beimel Baseball North, in Olean, New York.
Meeker said, “Me and Michael have gotten pretty close, and I consider myself his little brother.”
Meeker added, “I am going to be the coordinator of the travel team named Stateline Baseball, and we are going to get stuff rolling.”
When asked about his message to people wondering about his team this year he said, “Don’t be shocked if St. John Fisher comes out with a regional championship, and also a Super Regional Championship.”
The Cardinals started their season 2-1, and their next game they will face off against Aurora University on March 2.