Johnny Blake, a 6’1”, 210 lb., right-hander from Dubuque, Iowa, played three years at Clarke University and one at University of Dubuque.  In four college seasons, Blake compiled a 22-11 record with a 2.39 ERA.  Blake struck out 287 batters in 233.2 innings pitched, collegiately.  He appeared in 48 games, starting 36.

2024: Blake played for the Dubuque Spartans in the American Rivers Conference. He went 7-2 on the mound with a 1.90 ERA. In 12 appearances, Blake had eleven starts, with three complete games and one shutout. In 75.2 innings pitched, Blake struck out 111 batters, earning ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. III All-America Second Team Honors and ARC Pitcher-of-the-Year Honors. A two-way player, Blake also hit .235 in 20 games with one triple and three stolen bases.

2023: Playing for the Clarke Pride in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, Blake went 6-3 with a 1.75 ERA. In 12 appearances, Blake had eleven starts with four complete games, three shutouts and one save. In 72.0 innings pitched, Blake struck out 80 batters, earning NAIA All-America Honorable Mention, plus All-HAAC First-Team Honors. At the plate, Blake hit .262 in 41 games with two home runs and 18 runs batted in. In the summer, Blake played for the Waterloo Bucks, of Waterloo, Iowa, in the Northwoods League. On the mound, he went 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA. In six appearances, Blake started four games pitching 26.2 innings and striking out 19. He also appeared in the field in six games.

2022: Blake went 5-5 on the mound for Clarke with a 3.17 ERA. In 12 games, Blake started 11 with two complete games and one save. In 54.0 innings, Blake struck out 63 batters. At the plate, Blake hit .262 in 28 games with one home run and five rbi’s.

2021: In twelve appearances with three starts, Blake went 4-1 with a 3.66 ERA. In 32.0 innings pitched, Blake struck out 33 batters. At the plate, Blake hit .200 in 26 games, with seven hits and three runs batted in.