Jon Mark Abbey, from Paris, Texas enters into his first season as a voluntary assistant pitching coach with the University of Central Arkansas baseball team. Abbey is coming from Central Baptist College where he was an assistant pitching coach. The 2016 Mustangs in their inaugural season in the American Midwest Conference went (45-16) with a Conference Championship and the school’s first NAIA Regional appearance.
Prior to Central Baptist College Abbey spent the 2015 season as a graduate assistant pitching coach for the Southern Arkansas baseball team, where the Muleriders won the Great American Conference Championship and appeared in the NCAA Division II Regionals with an overall record of (40-18). Before spending the 2012 and 2013 seasons as a pitcher on the Muleriders’ staff, both ending in Great American Conference Championships and NCAA Division II Regional appearances, Abbey pitched at Paris Junior College.
In his senior season of 2013, Abbey went 8-3 and led the all SAU starters in ERA (2.81), opponent's batting average (.254), fewest walks (14), and shutouts (2). Additionally, Abbey would be honored with the ABCA/Rawlings Central Region Gold Glove Award at pitcher as well as being named to the Capital One Academic All-America® Second-Team. After his standout senior campaign on the mound, Abbey signed to play professionally with the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League.
Overall in two years at SAU, Abbey was 12-5 with a 3.56 ERA. In 134.0 career innings, Abbey walked just 23 batters and limited opponents to a .268 batting average against.
Abbey has an Associate of Science degree from Paris Junior College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Performance, Recreation and Community Service, Sports Management from SAU and a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology-Coaching from SAU.
Jon Mark is married to Jami (Tucker) of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Jon Mark and Jami met while attending school at SAU and were married on July 18, 2015. Jami is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Central Arkansas where her dream job is to work with Olympic athletes.
